National women’s soccer star Desiree Ellis has scored many firsts in her career.
She’s the first woman in the country to commentate on a soccer match, and she’s one of the few women to be nominated for the African Footballer of the Year Award.
Ellis, well known for her dribbling skills on the field, commentated on South Africa’s crucial World Cup qualifying game against Zimbabwe last month on e.tv.
“I went in thinking I was going to be a studio guest, I was fine with it since I’ve done that for UEFA games. To my surprise, I was told I was going to be a commentator. I was very nervous but not scared or intimidated,” she says.
It was this confidence that convinced e.tv to recruit her and call on her skills again for the Africa Nations Cup qualifying game between Bafana Bafana and Congo. Obviously thrilled with the call, Ellis says: “My triumphs have never been only for me but for all women and the whole nation. I feel very honoured and humbled that e.tv has so much trust in me and my abilities. I’ll do my research extensively and be the best I can.”
e.tv says it is excited to have a woman of Elli’s calibre joining its e shibobo team. She brings with her such a wealth of soccer experience that it is not at all surprising she is the only SA woman up against three other male nominees selected for the finals of prestigious African Footballer of the Year Award.
Catch Ellis live on e shibobo on June 17 at 3pm at Durban Kingsmead Stadium
– The Teacher/M&G Media, Johannesburg, June 2001.