Not too long ago SAFA were considering another European coach to replace Vera Pauw, who left the Banyana head coaching position after the team was knocked out in the group stages at the Olympics in Rio.
Ellis was interim coach and it seemed that's all SAFA saw her as. Some sense was knocked into the head honchos at the association and she was given the position on a full-time basis, after working as caretaker for over a year.
Nine months after her appointment Ellis has delivered a COSAFA Cup title and, more importantly, World Cup qualification following a 2-0 semi-final victory over Mali at the Africa Women's Cup of Nations last night.
The coach they were looking for was right in front of their eyes and all SAFA needed to do was give her the job on a full-time basis. Now she has made history by becoming the first coach to inspire Banyana to World Cup qualification. The World Cup will be played in France next year.
Ellis understands the players and their backgrounds. She's been there before and there is no one better, certainly not a European coach, who can get the best out of the players.
Banyana play attractive football and always try to dominate the opposition with a passing game. They have an identity and it's been brought mainly by Ellis.
"This is not about this team only, this is about South Africa. This is about all the coaches who have been there before [us], the players who have been there before [us], coaches in the Sasol League. But most importantly it's about our sponsor Sasol and it's about our South African football federation," Ellis said after the Mali game.
"We would not be where we are if they were not on board. They've been tremendous in the preparation we had over the year. They made sure that we had the best preparation possible, which does not guarantee you success, but this team is amazing. We have a core of over 50 players and they are all amazing. We thank God for this great opportunity. We are going to France and that's what it's about."