Desiree Ellis believes FC Copenhagen move can put Jessica Williams in Banyana Banyana contention

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis believes Jessica Williams’ move to FC Copenhagen could put the goalkeeper back in contention for the national team’s No.1 jersey in the months ahead.

Williams was considered by Ellis for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations earlier this year, but did not make the final 26-member squad for the tournament in Morocco.

The move to Denmark has given Williams a fresh opportunity to develop, and Ellis hopes the challenge of playing abroad will help her improve both technically and mentally.

“I’m very excited for Jessica. The last South African women’s goalkeeper we had abroad was Roxanne Barker and she did very well. This is a new beginning for Jessica and a chance for her to really step up and grow in a demanding league. We know the quality she has, now it’s just about pushing through mentally. She is still young in goalkeeper years and hopefully she can come back into the squad one day. I’m really hoping this move energises her and gets her to the next level,” Ellis told SABC Sport.

Ellis said Williams’ new surroundings would also make it easier for the national team to keep track of her progress.

The coach intends to monitor her closely now that she is playing for a club that regularly competes against some of the leading sides in women’s football around the world.

Williams is also expected to benefit from having fellow South African Bongeka Gamede nearby. Gamede plays for FC Nordsjælland, giving Williams a compatriot who can help her adjust to life and football in Denmark.

Ellis believes that support could allow the goalkeeper to settle more quickly as she adapts to playing abroad.