Mexico-based Jermaine Seoposenwe was a notable absentee when Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis announced her squad of 23 players to face Denmark and England in international friendlies later this month.
Also among those missing from the travelling squad are the experienced Noko Matlou, Bongeka Gamede and captain Refiloe Jane.
In goals, Ellis has named Kaylin Swart of JVW and Dineo Magagula of TS Galaxy Queens, while there is a recall for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Andile Dlamini who missed the last fixture against Senegal in June.
Banyana Banyana have kept the bulk of the defenders that featured in the last match, with only Asanda Hadebe missing – but she has been named in the COSAFA Women’s Championship squad.
UWC’s Bongeka Gamede has been left out of the team with her place taken by teammate Nondumiso Manengela as she receives her first Banyana Banyana call-up.
Thembi Kgatlana returns after missing out on the Senegal clash, and she is expected to lead the not just the forwards but also the team as the captain.
“It’s a juggling act as we need all the experience we can get, hence you see the return of Andile Dlamini. We know she has not been getting game time at Mamelodi Sundowns, just like Linda Motlhalo has not been playing in the USA – but their experience is key, more so because we are playing top teams in Denmark who are 12th in the world and England is second on the rankings. It is unfortunate that Refiloe Jane is recovering from an injury while Bongeka Gamede and Jermaine Seoposenwe are not available. We can’t just throw players to the wolves, we have to bring players through gradually and we also have to protect them,” said Ellis.
“I just want to mention Manengela of UWC, I thought that at the COSAFA Women’s Champions League qualifiers she was absolutely fantastic and dictated matters. At time when the changes were made there was a bit of a lull, but she was really fantastic.”
The African Champions will face Denmark on Friday, 25 October at the Aalborg Stadium in Denmark with a 6pm kick off. Banyana Banyana’s next assignment will be against European Champions, the Lionesses on Tuesday, 29 October at Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry City, England.
Kickoff is at 21h45.
“We are preparing for the 2025 WAFCON, and we are very happy that we will be able to prepare against world class opposition. Denmark will give us the opportunity to work on our strength and areas that we struggle with against some African opponents. England will be a great challenge for us, and we are looking forward to an exciting, fast paced, tactical match against a team we have watched before and a coach whose philosophy I know,” added Ellis.
Banyana Banyana will be without assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli of UWC as she will be away in Scotland studying for her UEFA B Coaching License. Head of Women’s Football at the University of Johannesburg, Nthabeleng Dunga Modiko, who is also a former Banyana Banyana captain, has been called up.
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD vs ENGLAND AND DENMARK
| NAME & SURNAME | POS | CLUB | LOCATION |
| 1. KAYLIN SWART | GK | JVW FC | Johannesburg |
| 2. ANDILE DLAMINI | GK | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Pretoria |
| 3. DINEO MAGAGULA | GK | TS Galaxy Queens | KwaMhlanga |
| 4. KARABO DHLAMINI | DF | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Pretoria |
| 5. FIKILE MAGAMA | DF | University of the Western Cape | Cape Town |
| 6. TIISETSO MAKHUBELA | DF | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Pretoria |
| 7. LONATHEMBA MHLONGO | DF | University of the Western Cape | Cape Town |
| 8. BAMBANANI MBANE | DF | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Pretoria |
| 9. LEBOHANG RAMALEPE | DF | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Pretoria |
| 10. SIBULELE HOLWENI | MF | University of the Western Cape | Cape Town |
| 11. LINDA MOTLHALO | MF | Racing Louisville | Kentucky, USA |
| 12. THUBELIHLE SHAMASE | MF | Gintra Universitetas | Siauliai, LITHUANIA |
| 13. NONHLANHLA MTHANDI | MF | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Pretoria |
| 14. NONDUMISO MANENGELA | MF | University of the Western Cape | Cape Town |
| 15. KHOLOSA BIYANA | MF | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Pretoria |
| 16. AMOGELANG MOTAU | MF | University of the Western Cape | Cape Town |
| 17. THEMBI KGATLANA | FW | UANL Tigres | Monterrey, MEXICO |
| 18. NICOLE MICHAEL | FW | TS Galaxy Queens | KwaMhlanga |
| 19. NOXOLO CESANE | FW | Eastern Flames | Dammam, SAUDI ARABIA |
| 20. HILDAH MAGAIA | FW | Kansas City Current | Kansas City, USA |
| 21. SINOXOLO CESANE | FW | Mazatlán FC | Mazatlán FC, MEXICO |
| 22. NTHABISENG MAJIYA | FW | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | Pretoria |
| 23. SPHUMELELE SHAMASE | FW | Gintra Universitetas | Siauliai, LITHUANIA |
By Matlhomola Morake
