Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Dr Desiree Ellis, has included new faces in the squad of 26 players which will face Morocco in an international friendly match scheduled for Tuesday, 2 December 2025 away in North Africa.
The fixture is part of both countries’ preparations for the CAF Women Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) set to be played in March next year – it will serve as a qualifier for the 2027 Brazil FIFA Women’s World Cup.
This will be the first time the two nations meet since South Africa defeated the Atlas Lionesses 2-1 in the 2022 WAFCON final in Morocco.
Dr Ellis has retained experience and mixed it up with youngsters – the likes of, goalkeeper Casey Gordon from JVW, defenders, Asanda Hadebe of Sundowns Ladies, Khwezi Khoza (Durban Ladies), Nobahle Mdelwa (UJ LadiesS), Unathi Simayile and Sbahle Mneli of UWC and TS Galaxy Queens respectively, have been called up.
In the middle of the park, the University of Fort Hare’s Michelle Sampson has been included, so has Sundowns Ladies’ Isabella Ludwig, JVW’s Bongiwe Thusi, as well as the exciting duo of Nobahle Mdelwa (UJ Ladies) and Khwezi Khoza from the Durban Ladies.
The Mexican pair of Hilda Magaia and Thembi Kgatlana and JVW goalkeeper Kaylin Swart have been omitted, but Banyana Banyana will still rely on the experience of, among others, Andile Dlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Lebohang Ramalepe, Linda Motlhalo, Bongeka Gamede and captain Refiloe Jane.
The 2022 WAFCON champions are expected to assemble for camp on Monday (24 November 2025) in Johannesburg and will fly out to Morocco on Saturday (28 November).
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD TO FACE MOROCCO:
Goalkeepers:
Dineo Magagula (TS Galaxy Queens)
Casey Gordon (JVW FC)
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Defenders:
Lebohang Ramalepe (Sundowns Ladies)
Bambanani Mbane (Sundowns Ladies)
Karabo Dhlamini (Sundowns Ladies)
Asanda Hadebe (Sundowns Ladies)
Fikile Magama (University of the Western Cape)
Unathi Simayile (University of the Western Cape)
Antonia Maponya (University of the Western Cape)
Sibahle Mneli (TS Galaxy Queens)
Midfielders:
Bongeka Gamede (Nordsjaelland, Denmark)
Jessica Wade (JVW FC)
Regina Mogolola (JVW FC)
Bongiwe Thusi (JVW FC)
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland)
Isabella Ludwig (Sundowns Ladies)
Noxolo Cesane ((Sundowns Ladies)
Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy Queens)
Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico)
Michelle Sampson (University of Fort Hare).
Forwards:
Nonhlanhla Mthandi (Sundowns Ladies)
Nthabiseng Majiya ((Sundowns Ladies)
Nobahle Mdelwa (University of Johannesburg)
Bonolo Mokoma (JVW FC)
Khwezi Khoza (Durban Ladies)
By Matlhomola Morake
