Head Coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, has named a squad of 24 players to take on Burkina Faso in a crucial 2024 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers (WAFCON) scheduled for Thursday, 30 November in Cote d’Ivoire, with the return fixtures set for Monday, 4 December 2023 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville.
Ellis has not tampered much with the playing personnel that did duty against DR Congo last month in the 2024 Paris Olympic qualifiers.
Janine van Wyk has been called up after being an unused substitute in the clash with DR Congo and left camp distraught, missing out on the second leg. Spanish-based Noko Matlou, who missed the Burkina Faso clash as she was sorting out her residence permit and could not travel, is now available to join her compatriots.
Also making a return is Lebohang Ramalepe, who helped Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies reclaim the CAF Women’s Champions League title in Cote d’Ivoire this past weekend (Sunday, 19 November).
The Shamase twin sisters, S’phumelele and Thubelihle, along with Amogelang Motau, have also received a call-up.
“You cannot go and defend the title if you don’t get past this stage so it’s imperative that we get past the stage. We last played Burkina Faso in 2017, we beat them 4-0 in Dobsonville. They played Olympic qualifiers against Mali and lost on aggregate. In the first round of the WAFCON qualifiers they played against eSwatini and won those two games on aggregate, so we know a little bit about them,” said Ellis.
“It’s very important that we keep the momentum going, it’s not just any match it’s the final qualifier for WAFCON. We are the defending champions and if you don’t win this game, you won’t be at the tournament so we have to make sure that we do well especially in the first game to take off the pressure of playing at home because we all know the pressures of playing at home, you know how difficult it can be for players. We’ve already got an analysis on them, so we know exactly what we need to do.”
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will be without the injured Bambanani Mbane and Sibulele Holweni, while captain Refilwe Jane and Nomvula Kgoale have just returned to action from injury spells.
USA-based Sinoxolo Cesane – Noxolo’s twin sister – is unable to honour the national team call up of her studies – denying the African Champions of having two sets of twins in the same squad (alongside Shamase sisters) for the first time ever.
“To the athletes, your commitment to the sport and unwavering passion serves as a beacon of inspiration to aspiring athletes not only within our borders of South Africa but also across the globe as we have seen during the recently held FIFA World Cup. The team’s performance in the past games has been impressive, a testament to the immense talent that resides in this group of players. You have proven time and time again that you are among the finest football teams in South Africa and Africa, that continues to push boundaries, reminding many of us that it’s possible, it is doable, as well as achievable and because this is the team that lives the impossible, no matter what,” said Dean Somerset of Sasol.
“Your success is not just a personal triumph, but it is a source of pride for every South African who takes joy in the accomplishments of this nation. Good luck in the upcoming games against Burkina Faso. We know it is important for us to make it through to next year’s WAFCON as the current title holders, and may your current journey be marked by unity, resilience, and the sweet taste of victory. Go there and make the entire nation proud as you’ve done before.”
Banyana Banyana have competed in 14 CAF Women’s Championships (Now known as CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations). The South Africans finished in second place on five occasions (1995, 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018) and third at two tournaments (2006 and 2010), before lifting their maiden trophy in 2022 in Morocco.
The squad assembles on Sunday, 26 November after the Hollywoodbets Super League and departs on Monday morning (27 November) for West Africa.
By Matlhomola Morake
