South Africa's women's national football team, Banyana Banyana, is gearing up for their upcoming CAF Olympic qualifiers against Madagascar. Head coach Desiree Ellis has named a strong 24-player squad for the back-to-back matches at Toyota Stadium on October 9 and 13. The squad includes top players like Thembi Kgatlana, who will lead the team's attack.
Ellis has kept her goalkeeping unit intact, retaining Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, and Kebotseng Moletsane after their performance at the WAFCON tournament. The team's defense will also remain largely unchanged, with Bambanani Mbane, Fikile Magama, and Bongeka Gamede continuing to lead the backline. Sinegugu Zondi has earned a recall to the squad, replacing Asanda Hadebe.
The midfield has seen some changes, with Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, and Sibulele Holweni left out of the squad. However, captain Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo, and Amogelang Motau have made welcome returns. The team's forward line will be crucial in securing positive results, with Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, and Ronnel Donnelly named in the squad.
The squad also includes Siyamthanda Qashani and Bonolo Mokona, who have completed their comeback after missing WAFCON. Notably, Nthabiseng Majiya has missed out on the squad. Banyana Banyana's performance in the qualifiers is critical, given their failure to qualify for the Olympic Games under Ellis in 2020 and 2024.
Ellis and her squad face mounting pressure after a disappointing quarter-final exit at WAFCON, which cost them automatic World Cup qualification. However, their global tournament hopes remain alive via the upcoming play-offs. With SAFA embarking on a new term, expectations are high for Banyana to seal Olympic qualification for the first time since 2016.
The team's chances of success will depend on the performance of key players like Thembi Kgatlana, who will lead the attack. The team's defense and midfield will also need to be solid to prevent costly mistakes. Banyana Banyana's squad includes a mix of experienced and young players, who will need to work together to achieve a positive result.
The full Banyana Banyana squad includes: Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Kebotseng Moletsane. Defenders: Bambanani Mbane, Fikile Magama, Bongeka Gamede, Sinegugu Zondi, Karabo Dhlamini, Tiisetso Makhubela, Lonathemba Mhlongo. Midfielders: Refiloe Jane (captain), Linda Motlhalo, Amogelang Motau, Kholosa Biyana, Nomvula Kgoale, Sphumelele Shamase. Forwards: Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Ronnel Donnelly, Siyamthanda Qashani, Bonolo Mokona, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Gabriela Salgado, Hildah Magaia.
Key points
- Desiree Ellis names a 24-player squad for Banyana Banyana's CAF Olympic qualifiers against Madagascar.
- The team's goalkeeping unit remains intact, with Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, and Kebotseng Moletsane retained.
- Banyana Banyana faces mounting pressure to secure Olympic qualification after failing to qualify in 2020 and 2024.
