Banyana Banyana’s road to the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup begins in earnest as they assembled for camp in Johannesburg on Friday, 10 June 2022.
Head coach Desiree Ellis has called a preliminary squad of 33 players, which she has to trim down to 21 for the upcoming Africa Women’s Cup of Nations to be played in Morocco from 2-23 July.
The top four nations in the tournament will book their places at the now-expanded FIFA Women’s World Cup which will take place in Australia and New Zealand next year.
The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will be without the services of the injured influential player, Gabriela Salgado of JVW.
The midfielder fell awkwardly and broke her collarbone in a league match against Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies.
Salgado will miss the women’s continental football showpiece as she will be out for close to eight weeks – her place has been taken by the speedy Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies forward, Rhoda Mulaudzi.
The South Africans depart for Morocco on the June 21.
They have been drawn in Group C alongside arch-rivals Nigeria, Burundi and neighbours Botswana.
Banyana Banyana open their campaign with a. clash against the Super Falcons of Nigeria on July 4.
By Matlhomola Morake
