Head Coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, will on Thursday, 19 October 2023 announce the squad to face DR Congo for the 2024 Paris Olympics qualifiers, but will be missing some key players.
The African Champions take on their Central African counterparts on Wednesday, 25 October 2023 at Stade des Martyns de la Pentecôte in the capital Kinshasa at 16h30 South African time.
The return leg has been scheduled for Monday, 30 October at Orlando Stadium – kick off is at 15h00.
“The World Cup is behind us now – there’s something else to focus on. And for most of the players that are still there, they missed out on the Olympics. But I am sure that (during the qualifiers) they’ll leave no stone unturned to make sure that we qualify for the next one (in Paris next year). We don’t want to concede early. We want to make sure that we are well organised. You can see a match on footage, but when you play them, they can be different. We must be aware of their strengths and weaknesses and try to take on their weaknesses. But we must make sure that we are defensively sound,” said Ellis in Bloemfontein where she is attending the 2023 Sasol League National Champs.
Already not considered for the DR Congo assignment due to injury are defender Bambanani Mbane as well as captain and midfielder, Refiloe Jane – both are still recovering from injuries sustained at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand in August.
Ellis will also be without Sibulele Holweni who recently got injured in a Hollywoodbets Super League clash while playing for the University of the Western Cape (UWC). The midfielder was forced to withdraw from the USA trip after suffering an injury in the 65th minute against the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) last month (Saturday, 16 September).
Midfielder Robyn Moodaly recently announced her retirement from the national team, but will focus on her club JVW in the Hollywoodbets Super League. In a statement, Moodaly said she wanted to work on her mental well-being.
It is still not clear if South Korea-based forward, Hildah Magaia, will be available for the DR Congo clash after she was left out on the USA trip last month due to medical reasons. Magaia has been one of the most reliable strikers in a Banyana Banyana jersey in recent times, scoring at crucial periods.
Ellis will, however, have the services of defender Janine van Wyk, who has announced her retirement from the national team. The player will be named in the squad to play DR Congo where she will play her two matches for the country.
She made her debut back in 2005.
This will afford Van Wyk to break Egypt’s Ahmed Hassan record of 184 caps as the highest capped football player on the African continent. The JVW founder is now on 183 and needs only two to go top of the list and be the only player with the most national team appearances – male or female – on the continent.
She last played for her country in the two friendly matches against Brazil in September 2022.
Van Wyk led Banyana Banyana as captain in South Africa’s maiden appearance at a FIFA Women’s World, held in France in 2019. But she was left out for the recent global tournament held in Australia and New Zealand due to injury.
“This has been by far one of the hardest decisions of my life. This decision has always been one I have wanted to make on my terms. And this is my time to say goodbye to football as a player I watch the next generation shine. It has been my greatest honour and privilege to play this beautiful game, in particular playing for my country, which has and always will be the greatest gift football has ever offered me,” read part of the statement from Van Wyk.
The Banyana Banyana squad announcement for the crucial DR Congo clash will be held in Bloemfontein.
where Ellis is attending the 2023 Sasol League National Champs to determine the league’s national champions.
In addition, the two sides that will be promoted to the Hollywoodbets Super League for next season will also be revealed. They will be replacing Ma-Indies Ladies from Limpopo, whose relegation from the South African elite women’s football league has already been confirmed, while the second team to face the axe will be known in the next few matches.
By Matlhomola Morake
