Nations around the world have started announcing their squads for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup taking place in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August – and tonight it’s the turn of South Africa.
For the first time ever, there will be 32 countries battling it out for the prestigious trophy, trying to wrestle it from the reigning world champions, USA.
All eyes are on head coach Desiree Ellis and her technical team as the country is waiting with bated breath for the naming of the final Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana squad that will represent South Africa at the prestigious tournament – their second in a row.
Like with every nation, it’s inevitable that with only 23 players to be accommodated on the list – there will be a lot of broken hearts, angry faces, and relief in some quarters, as to who have made or missed out.
CentreCircle.online has gone back in time to have a look at the squads that have been preferred in major tournaments for Banyana Banyana, starting with the London 2012 Olympics.
Then head coach Joseph Mkhonza selected 18 players for the South African Senior Women’s National Team’s first major international tournament.
Retired midfield maestro, Amanda Dlamini wore the captain’s armband, and worked alongside experienced players like Janine van Wyk, Kylie Louw, Noko Matlou, Portia Modise, Nompulelelo Nyandeni and Thokozile Mndaweni.
Banyana Banyana London 2012 Olympics squad:
Head coach: Joseph Mkhonza
| No. | Pos. | Player | Caps |
| 1 | GK | Roxanne Barker | 6 |
| 2 | MF | Robyn Moodaly | 12 |
| 3 | DF | Nothando Vilakazi | 30 |
| 4 | DF | Amanda Sister | 33 |
| 5 | DF | Janine van Wyk | 76 |
| 6 | DF | Zamandosi Cele | 18 |
| 7 | MF | Leandra Smeda | 19 |
| 8 | MF | Kylie Louw | 72 |
| 9 | MF | Amanda Dlamini (captain) | 49 |
| 10 | MF | Marry Ntsweng | 41 |
| 11 | FW | Noko Matlou | 74 |
| 12 | FW | Portia Modise | 92 |
| 13 | MF | Gabisile Hlumbane | 33 |
| 14 | FW | Sanah Mollo | 26 |
| 15 | DF | Refiloe Jane | 5 |
| 16 | MF | Mpumi Nyandeni | 93 |
| 17 | FW | Andisiwe Mgcoyi | 21 |
| 18 | GK | Thokozile Mndaweni | 57 |
Banyana Banyana’s next major competition on the world stage was the 2016 Rio Olympic Games under the tutelage of Netherlands native, Vera Pauw, ably assisted by Desiree Ellis (a former Banyana Banyana captain).
As expected Pauw made changes, introducing the likes of Lebogang Ramalepe, Mamello Makhabane, Stephanie Malherbe, Linda Motlhalo, Shiwe Nogwanya, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Bambanani Mbane and Thembi Kgatlana (who replaced the injured Shiwe Nogwanya).
Ramalepe, Makhabane, Motlhalo, Seoposenwe, Mbane and Kgatlana were to be some of the key players of Banyana Banyana for a long time.
Banyana Banyana Rio Olympic Games squad
Head coach: Vera Pauw
| No. | Pos. | Player | Caps | ||
| 1 | GK | Roxanne Barker | 28 | ||
| 2 | DF | Lebogang Ramalepe | 27 | ||
| 3 | DF | Nothando Vilakazi | 86 | ||
| 4 | DF | Noko Matlou | 124 | ||
| 5 | DF | Janine van Wyk (captain) | 131 | ||
| 6 | MF | Mamello Makhabane | 71 | ||
| 7 | MF | Stephanie Malherbe | 7 | ||
| 8 | MF | Robyn Moodaly | 14 | ||
| 9 | MF | Amanda Dlamini | 100 | ||
| 10 | MF | Linda Motlhalo | 8 | ||
| 11 | FW | Shiwe Nogwanya | 28 | ||
| 12 | FW | Jermaine Seoposenwe | 41 | ||
| 13 | DF | Bambanani Mbane | 2 | ||
| 14 | FW | Sanah Mollo | 69 | ||
| 15 | MF | Refiloe Jane | 62 | ||
| 16 | GK | Andile Dlamini | 19 | ||
| 17 | MF | Leandra Smeda | 60 | ||
| 18 | MF | Mpumi Nyandeni | 125 | ||
| 20 | FW | Thembi Kgatlana | 0 | ||
| No. | Pos. | Player | Caps | |||||
| 19 | DF | Nomathemba Ntsibande | ||||||
| 21 | FW | Chantelle Esau | ||||||
| 22 | GK | Kaylin Swart | ||||||
When Pauw departed the scene after the Olympic Games, Ellis held the fort temporarily before being given the reigns on a full time basis.
The Capetonian managed to help the squad reach the final of the 2018 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, where they finished second to Nigeria.
Ellis did not make drastic changes, but recruited the likes of the uncapped duo of Amanda Mthandi and Tiisetso Makhubela for the tournament.
New faces who were not in the Olympic squad were Koketso Tlailane, Kgaelebane Mohlakoana, Busisiwe Ndimeni, and Melinda Kgadiete.
Hildah Magaia, Kholosa Biyana, Rachel Sebati and Thato Letsoso were the stand-by players.
BANYANA BANYANA 2018 WAFCON SQUAD
Head Coach: Desiree Ellis
| GOALKEEPERS: | |
| Andile Dlamini | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies |
| Kaylin Swart | (Menlo College – USA) |
| Roxanne Barker | (University of Western Cape) |
| DEFENDERS: | |
| Lebogang RAMALEPE | (Ma-Indies FC) |
| NOTHANDO VILAKAZI | (Palace Super Falcons FC) |
| Janine VAN WYK | (Houston Dash – USA) |
| Noko MATLOU | (Ma-Indies FC) |
| Bambanani MBANE | (Bloemfontein Celtic) |
| Tiisetso MAKHUBELA | (Mamelodi Sundowns) |
| Koketso TLAILANE | (TUT-PTA) |
| MIDFIELDERS: | |
| Kgaelebane MOHLAKOANA | (Bloemfontein Celtic) |
| Mamello MAKHABANE | (JVW FC) |
| Leandra SMEDA | (Gintra Universitetas) |
| Nompumelelo NYANDENI | (JVW FC) |
| Linda MOTLHALO | (Houston Dash) |
| Busisiwe NDIMENI | (TUT-PTA) |
| Refiloe JANE | (Canberra United) |
| STRIKERS: | |
| Jermaine SEOPOSENWE | (JVW FC) |
| Thembi KGATLANA | (Houston Dash) |
| Melinda KGADIETE | (Bloemfontein Celtic) |
| Amanda MTHANDI | (University of Johannesburg) |
| PLAYERS ON STANDBY: | |
| Hildah Magaia | |
| Kholosa Biyana | |
| Rachel Sebati | |
| Thato Letsoso | |
A year later, Ellis showed her hand as she made several changes for the maiden FIFA Women’s World Cup squad in 2019 – naming uncapped youngsters, defender Bongeka Gamede and goalkeeper Mapaseka Mpuru.
Also coming into reckoning were Karabo Dhlamini, Biyana, Rhoda Mulaudzi and Ode Fulutudilu.
There was great experience around them with the quartet of Janine van Wyk (166), Noko Matlou (152), Nothando Vilakazi (129) and Refiloe Jane (104) all with 100 caps and more. On the other hand, Dhlamini and Holweni were going to their second World Cup tournament in less than a year after featuring at the 2018 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup in Uruguay under the mentorship of current Banyana Banyana second assistant coach Simphiwe Dludlu. Also armed with world Cup experience was the duo of Kaylin Swart and Jermaine Seoposenwe, who played in Trinidad and Tobago in the 2010 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup.
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD FOR 2019 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP
Head Coach: Desiree Ellis
GOALKEEPERS:
| 16. Andile Dlamini 37 caps | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| 20. Kaylin Swart 18 caps | Golden Stars FC |
| 1. Mapaseka Mpuru | University of Pretoria |
DEFENDERS:
| 2. Lebohang Ramalepe 62 caps | Ma-Indies FC |
| 3. Nothando Vilakazi 129 caps | FK Gintra Universitates |
| 4. Noko Matlou 152 caps | Ma –Indies FC |
| 5. Janine Van Wyk 166 caps | JVW FC |
| 13. Bambanani Mbane 43 caps | Bloemfontein Celtic |
| 23. Bongeka Gamede | University of Western Cape |
| 14. Tiisetso Makhubela 2 caps | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
MIDFIELDERS:
| 15. Refiloe Jane 104 caps | Unattached |
| 6. Mamello Makhabane 96 caps | JVW FC |
| 7. Karabo Dhlamini 5 caps | Mamelodi Sundowns FC |
| 17. Leandra Smeda 95 caps | Vittsjo GIK |
| 19. Kholosa Biyana 17 caps | University of Kwazulu Natal |
| 18. Busisiwe Ndimeni 26 caps | University of Pretoria |
| 21. Sibulele Holweni 1 cap | Sophakama Ladies/HPC |
| 10. Linda Motlhalo 42 caps | Beijing BG Phoenix FC |
FORWARDS:
| 22. Rhoda Mulaudzi 22 caps | Unattached |
| 11. Thembi Kgatlana 52 caps | Beijing BG Phoenix FC |
| 12. Jermaine Seoposenwe 74 caps | FK Gintra Universitates |
| 9. Amanda Mthandi 9 caps | University of Johannesburg |
| 8. Ode Fulutudilu 11 caps | Malaga FC |
For last year’s WAFCON in Morocco, the three-time CAF Woman Coach of the Year had only 11 survivors from the 2019 World Cup squad – with an almost completely changed team.
There was only one uncapped player – striker, Nthabiseng Majiya. Also coming into the squad, after missing out on the World Cup were Thalea Smidt, Hilda Magaia, Nomvula Kgoale, Regirl Ngobeni, Amogelang Motau, Robyn Moodaly and Noxolo Cesane.
At the time, she called up nine overseas-based players – but three of them have since returned home to play in South Africa’s Hollywoodbets Super League – Ramalepe, Biyana and Kgoale.
Three standby players were also named:
- Kebotseng Moletsane
- Tiisetso Makhubela
- Thubelihle Shamase
Banyana Banyana squad for 2022 WAFCON:
Head Coach: Desiree Ellis
NAME AND SURNAME | POSITION | CLUB |
| 1. ANDILE DLAMINI | GK | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC |
| 2. KAYLIN SWART | GK | JVW FC |
| 3. REGIRL NGOBENI | GK | UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE |
| 4. KARABO DHLAMINI | DF | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC |
| 5. LEBOHANG RAMALEPE | DF | DINAMO MINSK |
| 6. JANINE VAN WYK | DF | JVW FC |
| 7. BAMBANANI MBANE | DF | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC |
| 8. BONGEKA GAMEDE | DF | UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE |
| 9. NOKO MATLOU | DF | SD EIBAR |
| 10. REFILOE JANE | MF | AC MILAN |
| 11. NOMVULA KGOALE | MF | PARQUESDESOL CD |
| 12. LINDA MOTLHALO | MF | DJUGARDENS |
| 13. THALEA SMIDT | MF | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC |
| 14. KHOLOSA BIYANA | MF | SPORTING GIJON |
| 15. AMOGELANG MOTAU | MF | UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE |
| 16. ROBYN MOODALY | MF | JVW FC |
| 17. SIBULELE HOLWENI | MF | UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE |
| 18. JERMAINE SEOPOSENWE | FW | SC BRAGA |
| 19. MELINDA KGADIETE | FW | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC |
| 20. NOXOLO CESANE | FW | UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE |
| 21. NTHABISENG MAJIYA | FW | RICHMOND LADIES |
| 22. THEMBI KGATLANA | FW | ATHLETICO MADRID |
| 23. HILDAH MAGAIA | FW | SEJONG SPORTSTOTO |
| STANDY PLAYERS: | ||
| 4. KEBOTSENG MOLETSANE | GK | BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC |
| 10. TIISETSO MAKHUBELA | DF | MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC |
| 25. THUBELIHLE SHAMASE | MF | UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG |
A lot has happened over the last few months since Banyana Banyana lifted the continental title, with several players picked up and some dropped along the way in the six World Cup preparation matches played so far – vs Brazil (x2), Australia, Uzbekistan & Slovenia (both Turkish Women’s Cup) and Serbia.
Prominent among them was co-captain Janine van Wyk who was not recalled after the clashes against the South Americans, as well as Ramalepe – but the latter got the nod recently for a local training camp and was also included in the preliminary squad of 36 players.
The fixture against Australia also saw the return of Gabby Salgado from injury after she withdrew from the WAFCON squad.
When Ellis announced the players for the Serbia friendly international, she said she was almost ready with the team that will be going to the World Cup, and no door was closed on anyone – a comment that perhaps many of the players are holding on to.
In their last practice match, they faced Serbia and lost 2-3, which was their sixth game since WAFCON.
But now it all comes down to the final squad, that will be on that flight to Australia and New Zealand.
The following players have been ever-present since the WAFCON – never missed a camp:
- Andile Dlamini
- Regirl Ngobeni
- Bambanani Mbane
- Refiloe Jane
- Linda Motlhalo
- Bongeka Gamede
- Robyn Moodaly
- Jermaine Seoposenwe
- Hilda Magaia
CAPTAINCY:
On the issue of the captaincy, Amanda Dlamini led the team at the London Olympic Games in 2012, with Janine van Wyk taking over and wearing the armband at the Rio Olympic Games in 2016 and at the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, but was a bit-player in Morocco last year with Refiloe Jane playing the leading role in a co-captaincy system.
Several players have benefited from this scenario with the likes of Jermaine Seoposenwe, Andile Dlamini, Lebogang Ramalepe, Linda Motlhalo, Thembi Kgatlana and Noko Matlou also wearing the armband over the last few months.
With Van Wyk not in the preliminary squad due to injury, it is almost inevitable that Jane will lead the team in Australia and New Zealand, assisted by her co-captains.
We wait with anticipation to learn the identity of the warriors that will go into battle for South Africa at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
By Matlhomola Morake
