Desiree Ellis will take charge of the Banyana Banyana on the interim basis until a full-time mentor is appointed to replace Vera Pauw, Safa confirmed on Thursday.

Ellis takes over albeit temporarily from Dutch coach Vera Pauw, who returned to Europe after the Rio Olympic Games following the expiration of her contract.

Ellis spent two and half years as Vera Pauw’s assistant and will now be assisted by Maude Khumalo and Sheryl Botes. Khumalo will take the reins as Ellis’ assistant and Botes will assume the role of technical advisor.

‘We decided to have continuity within the team hence we have placed confidence in those who have worked with Vera (Pauw) before,’ said Safa CEO Dennis Mumble.

‘We have strong confidence that Ellis and her assistants will do a good job. In the meantime, the Association is busy sifting through the names of possible candidates that will take over from Vera. We don’t want to rush the process as we want the best possible candidate for the job.’

Khumalo was recently in charge of the U/20 (Basetsana) and U17 (Bantwana) while Botes is the head coach at the HPC in Pretoria.

All three have the highest coaching certificates, the Caf ‘A’ Licence and are renowned former Banyana Banyana players.

Ellis and her assistants have begun preparing Banyana Banyana for the African Women’s Championships that will take place in Cameroon in November and December later this year with a number of friendly matches already lined up.