Banyana Banyana kickstart 2022 with friendly against Zambia

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.

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