It’s every player’s dream to represent her country, especially at a higher level in tournaments like the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, the Olympic Games, as well as the FIFA World Cup.
Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, recently released the names of the preliminary squad of 46 players for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) that will take place in Morocco next month.
The training camp, which will be used for selection, starts in a fortnight, with the names of the final 21 players announced on Monday, 23 June 2025. The squad is expected to fly to North Africa shortly afterwards.
There will be a lot of anxious moments in the next few days as players will be hoping they would have done enough to impress the technical team, led by Ellis, so they can be handed plane tickets to the biggest women’s continental tournament.
There are six goalkeepers for Ellis to pick from, 11 defenders, 20 midfielders and nine forwards.
Among those included on the provisional list, there is a recall for 2022 WAFCON champions Nomvula Kgoale, Kholosa Biyana, Katlego Moletsane, Noxolo Cesane, Sibulele Holweni and Nthabiseng Majiya.
The preliminary squad also has nine players based abroad in Mexico, USA, DR Congo, Scotland and Denmark.
Banyana recently managed back-to-back victories against Botswana (3-2) and Zambia (2-0) in the Three Nations Challenge used to help the participants prepare for the WAFCON.
There will be 12 countries in Morocco trying to wrestle the title from defending champions South Africa.
Banyana have been drawn in Group C alongside Ghana, Tanzania and Mali. Zambia will have to battle it out with hosts Morocco, Senegal and DR Congo in Group A, while Botswana is in Group B alongside Tunisia, Algeria and Nigeria.
The African Champions will start the defence of their title against Ghana on Monday, 7 July, followed by the clash against Tanzania on Friday, 11 July and complete the group stages on Monday, 14 July with a fixture against Mali.
South Africa will be based in Oujda and will play all their round robin games at the Honneur Stadium. Oujda is a major city in northeast Morocco near the border with Algeria.
The tournament runs from 5-26 July.
BANYANA BANYANA PRELIMINARY SQUAD FOR WAFCON:
GOALKEEPERS:
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Kaylin Swart, Casey Gordon (both JVW FC), Katlego Moletsane (University of Fort Hare), Jessica Williams (University of Cape Town), Dineo Magagula (TS Galaxy Queens)
DEFENDERS:
Fikile Magama, Unathi Simayile, Lonathemba Mhlongo (all from the University of the Western Cape), Shakira O’Malley (Western Michigan University, USA), Shannon Macomo (University of Johannesburg), Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC), Bongeka Gamede (Nordsjælland, Denmark), Karabo Dhlamini, Lebogang Ramalepe, Bambanani Mbane, Tiisetso Makhubela (all Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)
MIDFIELDERS:
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland), Refiloe Jane, Nomvula Kgoale, Nicole Michael, Samkelisiwe Selana (all from TS Galaxy Queens), Kholosa Biyana, Isabella Ludwig, Noxolo Cesane, Modikanalo Mashigo, Nonhlanhla Mthandi (all from Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Sibongile Ntoane, Tshegofatso Motlogelwa (both TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies), Ayesha Moosa, Adrielle Mibe (both from University of Johannesburg), Jessica Wade, Regina Mogolola (both from JVW FC), Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico), Sibulele Holweni (University of the Western Cape), Kgaelebane Mohlakoana (TP Mazembe, DR Congo), Sinoxolo Cesane (Mazatlán, Mexico)
FORWARDS:
Thembi Kgatlana (Tigres UNAL, Mexico), Hildah Magaia (Club Tijuana, Mexico), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Monterrey, Mexico), Bonolo Mokoma, Bongiwe Thusi (both from JVW FC), Ronnel Donnelly (University of the Western Cape), Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies), Rennika Khoza, Michell Samson (both from the University of Fort Hare)
By Matlhomola Morake
