Banyana Banyana will be back in action since their last outing in October 2021 when they walloped Mozambique in the second leg of the African Women’s Cup of Nations (AWCON) of Nations at the FNB Stadium.
In their first match of the 2022 programme, the Sasol-sponsored South African Senior Women’s National team returns for a friendly international against Zambia.
Desiree Ellis’ charges will report for camp on Friday, 4 February.
They face the Zambians eight days later (Saturday, 12 February) in Lusaka.
Both nations are using this clash to prepare for upcoming third and final round AWCON qualifiers where South Africa will lock horns with Algeria while Zambia will take on Namibia.
Banyana Banyana will host the first leg of the qualifier (Friday, 18 February) before traveling to the North African country for the reverse fixture scheduled for Wednesday, 23 February.
The winner will join hosts Morocco, and Uganda, who have become the first country to qualify for the 12-nation competition, that is set to be played from 2 – 23 July 2022.
The tournament doubles as the African qualifiers for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Australia and New Zealand 2023.
The four top-placed teams in Morocco will represent the continent at the world football showpiece.
Banyana Banyana will be hoping to make their second consecutive qualification after their maiden appearance in France in 2019.
Sweden-based forward Hilda Magaia is the only overseas-based player selected in the squad of 25 players.
African Champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies dominate the list – with eight called up to camp.
Andile Dlamini, Karabo Makhurubetshi, Bambanani Mbane, Thalea Smidt, Oratile Mokwena, Lelona Daweti, Melinda Kgadiete and Rhoda Mulaudzi were all crucial to the Brazilians’ treble in 2021, where they won the Hollywoodbets Super League, The COSAFA CAF Cup and the coveted CAF Women’s Champions League title.
In a statement, the Banyana Banyana mentor said it was important that she continues to grow her database.
“We have decided to call up local players for the first round of camp to ensure that our database continues to grow. This is also to help newly-selected players to find their rhythm as early as possible – to give them the know how in case they are needed in subsequent matches,’’ said Ellis.
“We have also included Hilda Magaia who hasn’t returned to her club in Sweden. Also called up is Bongeka Gamede, who is in doubt because she is struggling with a niggling injury – so it is a wait and see situation.”
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD TO FACE ZAMBIA
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLY
| NAME | SURNAME | CLUB | PROVINCE |
| GOALKEEPERS: | |||
| 1. ANDILE | DLAMINI | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES | GAUTENG |
| 2. KAYLIN | SWART | JVW FC | GAUTENG |
| 3. REGIRL | NGOBENI | UWC | WESTERN CAPE |
| 4. KARABO | MOHALE | UJ | GAUTENG |
| DEFENDERS: | |||
| 5. ANTONIA | MAPONYA | UWC | WESTERN CAPE |
| 6. KOKETSO | TLAILANE | TUT | GAUTENG |
| 7. KARABO | MAKHURUBETSHI | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES | GAUTENG |
| 8. JANINE | VAN WYK | JVW FC | GAUTENG |
| 9. TIISETSO | MAKHUBELA | TUT | GAUTENG |
| 10. BAMBANANI | MBANE | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES | GAUTENG |
| 11. ASANDA | HADEBE | SUNFLOWER FC | KZN |
| 12. BONGEKA | GAMEDE | UWC | WESTERN CAPE |
| MIDFIELDERS: | |||
| 13. GABRIELA | SALGADO | JVW FC | GAUTENG |
| 14. NOXOLO | CESANE | UWC | WESTERN CAPE |
| 15. THALEA | SMIDT | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES | GAUTENG |
| 16. MAMELLO | MAKHABANE | JVW FC | GAUTENG |
| 17. ROBYN | MOODALY | JVW FC | GAUTENG |
| 18. SIBULELE | HOLWENI | UWC FC | WESTERN CAPE |
| 19. ORATILE | MOKWENA | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES | GAUTENG |
| FORWARDS: | |||
| 20. LELONA | DAWETI | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES | GAUTENG |
| 21. HILDA | MAGAIA | Moron BK Skelleftea | SWEDEN |
| 22. MELINDA | KGADIETE | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES | GAUTENG |
| 23. WENDY | SHONGWE | UP | GAUTENG |
| 24. NTHABISENG | MAJIYA | RICHMOND LADIES | NORTHERN CAPE |
| 25. RHODA | MULAUDZI | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES | GAUTENG |
Second Round AWCON fixtures:
DATES: 14-23 February 2022
South Africa vs. Algeria
Djibouti vs. Burundi
Zambia vs. Namibia
Zimbabwe vs. Botswana
Tunisia vs. Equatorial Guinea
Togo vs. Gabon
Cameroon vs. Gambia
Senegal vs. Mali
Guinea-Bissau vs. Burkina Faso
Nigeria vs. Ivory Coast
By Matlhomola Morake
