Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has praised the standard of Varsity Women's Football and its role in women's football in South Africa. Ellis, who was among those who attended the 2024 Varsity Women's Football over the weekend at TUT Stadium, says varsity football has played a huge role in the development of women's football.
"A lot of players leave school and go straight to varsity and don't play at clubs and now they get to play not just for the varsity team in the league, whichever league they play in," said Ellis.
"Varsity football tournament is really big and it has become a really big tournament over the years, a prestigious tournament to say. So this tournament plays a huge, huge role in the development of women I must say."
"And I think university football is big, where it used to have a national team, and many of the players played for the varsity, national team and Banyana Banyana."
During the group stages and the playoffs several players put in outstanding performances that deserve to be recognised.
Ellis said when she goes to games or tournaments she's not only going to scout players.
"I'm going to monitor the players as well because I go and watch players throughout the season so I like to monitor the progress," said Ellis.
"I like to watch them against different teams so that I have a better understanding of what they can add.
"I think when it comes to seeing players with potential, I've seen a lot of these players already play in the league.
"So after modern monitoring of players in the league to see their consistency, to see if they can add value, when do we bring them in."
It was the defending champions UWC who showed that they meant business as the Cape side worked hard to book themselves for a final showdown against the six-time champions TUT.
"It's difficult to gauge the final, I think both teams have shown over the tournament that they are both fighters, you know, UWC lost their first game against UJ, and, yeah, they're in the final now," she said.
"TUT hasn't been that consistent over the tournament, either, but had a very good comeback win on their home turf, you know, against probably one of the favorites, UJ.
"But the final is a different kind of game, it's a once-off game and a winner takes all."
Fixtures HERE
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