Captain of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Refiloe Jane has been withdrawn from the squad of 23 players to face Tanzania in a crucial two-legged third-round 2024 Paris Olympic Games qualifiers.
For the first leg, South Africa will be away in Dar es Salaam to face the home team on Friday, 23 February.
The reverse fixture will be held at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga on Tuesday evening (27 February) at 19h30.
In the absence of the injured Jane, Head Coach Desiree Ellis will be hoping that, among others, the talented but inexperienced Lesego Nkoane of TS Galaxy Queens can come to the party – she receives her first call-up to Banyana Banyana.
Jane last played for her country in August 2023 at the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand – she got injured in the second match of the tournament against Argentina. She was believed to be back in action and was included in the preliminary squad but had to be withdrawn for the final selection.
Ellis sang the praises of Nkoane.
“I have known Lesego since her days at Wits, she’s had a good season with TS Galaxy Queens. We’ve always looked at her and wondered when the right time was to bring her in, but with Refiloe withdrawing after we got a medical report from her club, it was natural to bring another central midfielder, who can cover a few positions as well. She’s good on the ball, a good passer of the ball, she also has a physical presence that is lacking in our team due to the short stature of our players,” said Ellis.
“There is also a recall for Nthabiseng (Majiya) who missed the World Cup due to injury, and focused on her matric exams after that – but obviously that’s all behind her now and she looked very sharp at training.”
Banyana Banyana is beaming with confidence that six players who were at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games squad are still in the team and will be relying on their experience to help the team get over the line.
- Andile Dlamini
- Linda Motlhalo
- Jermaine Seoposenwe
- Lebohang Ramalepe
- Thembi Kgatlana
- Noko Matlou
The additional member of that squad is goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, who was on standby at the time.
”It is important to have the core group, it always lifts everything in the team, their experience is invaluable and will be important going into these matches. Missing out on the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has been the driving force for us to well and tick the only box remaining with this group of players – they have been to the World Cup and also won the WAFCON,” added Ellis.
It will be the first time in 11 years that Banyana Banyana play a match in Mpumalanga, and Ellis has made a plea to the people of the province to come out in numbers.
“Look I know that Banyana Banyana is much loved around the country and there’s been a lot of calls for the team to play around the country not just in Gauteng. We are now going to Mbombela, and we hope that the fans can come out in numbers and support the team and be that 12th and 13th player because we know that when we go out onto the field we do it for people back home,” said Ellis.
“People that might not see the team that often and we are just hoping that they come out and fill that stadium and make it really difficult for the opponents. But we also want to make sure that we get the result for them – hopefully we can play really well and get the result that we want.”
Banyana Banyana depart on Tuesday morning (20 February) to continue with preparations in the East African country, and will return home on Saturday, 24 February.
Thembi Kgatlana, who is already in South Africa, is expected to continue with the captain’s armband in the absence of Jane.
Kgatlana will fly out with the squad to Tanzania, while the rest of the overseas-based players will meet their compatriots in Dar es Salaam: Linda Motlhalo (USA), Noko Matlou (Spain), Hilda Magaia and Jermaine Seoposenwe (both Mexico).
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD vs TANZANIA – 2024 PARIS OLYMPIC QUALIFIERS:
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB |
| GOALKEEPERS: | ||
| Andile DLAMINI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| Kaylin SWART | JVW | |
| Katlego MOLETSANE | Royal AM | |
| DEFENDERS: | ||
| Karabo DHLAMINI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| Noko MATLOU | SB Eibar (Spain) | |
| Fikile MAGAMA | University of the Western Cape | |
| Asanda HADEBE | Sunflower WFC – Sasol League | |
| Lonathemba MHLONGO | University of the Western Cape | |
| Lebohang RAMALEPE | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| MIDFIELDERS: | ||
| Kholosa BIYANA | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | |
| Linda MOTLHALO | Racing Louisville (USA) | |
| Nomvula KGOALE | TS Galaxy Queens | |
| Sphumelele SHAMASE | University of Johannesburg | |
| Amogelang MOTAU | University of the Western Cape | |
| Thalea SMIDT | University of Pretoria | |
| Lesego NKOANE | TS Galaxy Queens | |
| FORWARDS: | ||
| Nicole MICHAEL | TS Galaxy Queens | |
| Gabriela SALGADO | JVW | |
| Noxolo CESANE | University of the Western Cape | |
| Nthabiseng MAJIYA | Richmond Ladies | |
| Jermaine SEOPOSENWE | FC Monterrey (Mexico) | |
| Hildah MAGAIA | Mazatlán FC Femenil (Mexico) | |
| Thembi KGATLANA | Tigres UANL (Mexico) | |
By Matlhomola Morake
