The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will play their first match of the year at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga when they take on Tanzania in the third round of the 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers.
The second leg fixture has been scheduled for Tuesday, 27 February with a late kick off of 19h30.
But prior to this, they will travel to Dar es Salaam, the capital of Tanzania, for the first leg which will take place at the Azam Complex Stadium on Friday, 23 February.
Kickoff is at 15h00 South African time.
Whoever progresses to the fourth and final round between South Africa and Tanzania will face the victors in the Nigeria vs Cameroon clash.
In the other stream, Ghana locks horns with Zambia while there is a North African clash between Tunisia and Morocco, with the winners of both matches meeting in the next round in April.
Only two nations will represent the African continent at the Olympic Games.
Zambia was the sole representative in the 2020 Games in Tokyo, and were knocked out in the group stages.
THIRD ROUND
| Team 1 | Aggregate score | Team 2 | 1st leg | 2nd leg | ||
| Ghana | vs | Zambia | TBC | TBC | ||
| Tunisia | vs | Morocco | TBC | TBC | ||
| Cameroon | v | Nigeria | TBC | TBC | ||
| Tanzania | vs | South Africa | 23 Feb | 27 Feb |
Banyana Banyana return to the Province of the Rising Sun after an absence of 11 years.
The last time they were in Mbombela was in June 2013 for an international friendly match against Mozambique, led by coach Joseph Mkhonza and included players like, among others, Noko Matlou, Andile Dlamini (currently in 2024 squad) as well as Janine van Wyk, Amanda Dlamini and Nothando Vilakazi.
Former Banyana Banyana player, and currently Chief Executive Officer (CEO) of the South African Football Association (SAFA), Lydia Monyepao, was the team manager at the time.
For the Tanzania clash, Desiree Ellis’ charges begin a five-day training camp on Monday, 12 February with only the local players, before departing for East Africa.
The six foreign-based players – Refiloe Jane (Italy), Linda Motlhalo (USA), Noko Matlou (Spain) as well as the trio of Jermaine Seoposenwe, Hilda Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana, who are all in Mexico, will only meet up with their compatriots in Tanzania from Monday, 19 February.
Ellis has called up a squad of 32 players which will be trimmed down ahead of the travel to Dar es Salaam.
This past weekend (9 – 11 February) six goalkeepers – who are all part of the selected squad of players – were taken through paces during a goalkeepers’ training camp.
Dlamini (Sundowns Ladies), Kaylin Swart (JVW), Katlego Moletsane (Royal AM), are Dineo Magagula (TS Galaxy Queens), Victoria Muroa (TUT FC) and Dimakatso Ntsiene (Ixias FC – Sasol League, Free State) were all in attendance under the watchful eye of Banyana Banyana goalkeeper coach Cameron Cox.
BANYANA BANYANA PRELIMINARY SQUAD FOR OLYMPIC QUALIFIER VS TANZANIA:
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB |
| GOALKEEPERS: | ||
| 1. Andile DLAMINI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| 2. Kaylin SWART | JVW | |
| 3. Katlego MOLETSANE | Royal AM | |
| 4. Dineo MAGAGULA | TS Galaxy Queens | |
| 5. Victoria MUROA | TUT FC | |
| 6. Dimakatso NTSIENE | Ixias FC (Sasol League – FS) | |
| DEFENDERS: | ||
| 7. Karabo DHLAMINI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| 8. Noko MATLOU | SB Eibar (Spain) | |
| 9. Fikile MAGAMA | University of the Western Cape | |
| 10. Asanda HADEBE | Sunflower FC – Sasol League | |
| 11. Tiisetso MAKHUBELA | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| 12. Lonathemba MHLONGO | University of the Western Cape | |
| 13. Lebohang RAMALEPE | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| MIDFIELDERS: | ||
| 14. Kholosa BIYANA | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| 15. Refiloe JANE | Sassuolo Women (Italy) | |
| 16. Linda MOTLHALO | Racing Louisville, USA | |
| 17. Nomvula KGOALE | TS Galaxy Queens | |
| 18. Sphumelele SHAMASE | University of Johannesburg | |
| 19. Amogelang MOTAU | University of the Western Cape | |
| 20. Thalea SMIDT | University of Pretoria | |
| 21. Lesego NKOANE | TS Galaxy Queens | |
| 22. Thubelihle SHAMASE | University of Johannesburg | |
| FORWARDS: | ||
| 23. Nicole MICHAEL | TS Galaxy Queens | |
| 24. Gabriela SALGADO | JVW | |
| 25. Samkelisiwe SELANA | TS Galaxy Queens | |
| 26. Noxolo CESANE | University of the Western Cape | |
| 27. Melinda KGADIETE | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| 28. Wendy SHONGWE | University of Pretoria | |
| 29. Nthabiseng MAJIYA | Richmond Ladies | |
| 30. Jermaine SEOPOSENWE | FC Monterrey (Mexico) | |
| 31. Hildah MAGAIA | Mazatlán FC Femenil (Mexico) | |
| 32. Thembi KGATLANA | Tigres UANL (Mexico) | |
By Matlhomola Morake
