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Reigning CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, Desiree Ellis has been conferred with an Honorary Doctorate by the Cape Peninsular University of Technology (CPUT).
The former Banyana Banyana captain who guided South Africa’s senior women’s national team to its first ever TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title two years ago is now officially addressed as Dr Desiree Ellis, after being officially conferred by the University on Thursday, 25 April.
Dr Ellis’ recognition comes as a result of a long list of accolades and achievement by the reigning African Women’s Football Coach of the Year, which include guiding her former national team to its first continental title, leading Banyana Banyana to two FIFA Women’s World Cup competitions, lifting four COSAFA Women’s Championship titles as well as four consecutive CAF Women Coach of the Year awards.
In April last year, Dr Ellis was bestowed with the Order of Ikhamanga in Gold by South Africa’s Head of State, President Cyril Ramaphosa.
The Order of Ikhamanga is awarded to South African citizens who have excelled in the fields of arts, culture, literature, music, journalism, or sport by the President of the country.
“I’m deeply honoured and grateful to have received this prestigious honorary doctorate from the Cape Peninsula University of Technology in recognition of my contribution and collective journey in women’s football. Even though it’s a personal award, it is huge for women in sport. Ellis said of her achievement.
“My dream is for women’s football to continue advancing and to include a professional women’s league, not just in South Africa, but in our continent of Africa”, said an emotional Dr Ellis.
Dr Ellis’ achievement is a huge plus for African women’s football, which continues to grow in all spheres.
