Head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Dr Desiree Ellis, has announced a squad of 23 players to face Malawi in two friendly matches scheduled for Saturday, 5 April and Tuesday, 8 April 2025 at a venue yet to be announced.
The African champions will be without key players as they take on The Scorchers of Malawi.
While the South African squad is part of preparations for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in July, the four-time CAF Woman Coach of the Year says the squad is nowhere near the final team that will attempt to defend the continental title in Morocco. Some of those left out are Kholosa Biyana and Nomvula Kgoale.
“I have a couple of players that are injured, Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini, Wendy Shongwe who are out injured – while the likes of Refiloe Jane are returning from injury after 11 months, it warms my heart to see her play again because quality is quality,” Dr Ellis told SABC Sport.
“We also have a couple of players like Anthonia Maponya, who is currently not playing, she did so well in the Jamaica game. Those players are all out, so we have to also make sure that we have our bases covered, we have to make sure we have enough versatility. People are always asking if Hilda (Magaia) and Jermaine (Seoposenwe) are not there, who then?”
The Capetonian has reiterated that the door is not closed on anyone and there are likely to be changes in the next camp.
“We still have another camp, we have the prep camp so if your name is not there the door is not closed, it can never be close to anyone. We saw (Promise) Selana over the weekend doing what we need from a player playing up front – and it’s such versatility that we are going to need going to the WAFCON because it’s not going to be easy like everybody says and we know that as defending champions you all are not chasing anymore everyone’s chasing,” added Dr Ellis.
“The first game any tournament is going to be so important, and you know our first opponent is Ghana so we’re looking at all of those because we have another camp coming up and maybe some of the players who are not here might be at that camp.”
Dr Ellis has also recalled young players who did duty against Lesotho recently, winning the two friendly matches – the likes of goalkeeper Casey Gordon, Mavis Maiacane and Adrielle Mibe.
“We also need to look at players and reward them for doing well against Lesotho and see how they fit in with the more senior players. Obviously, there were some U17 players as well (that I considered), but they’ve been in camp for almost a month and they have to go to school because school is also key, but we know the quality that that they can bring,” stated Dr Ellis.
Of the 23 players called up for the Malawi clashes, Banyana Banyana will have 10 based outside the country.
These include DR Congo-based former Royal AM forward, Kgaelebane Mohlakoana, who recently won the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Champions League with TP Mazembe.
Jermaine Seoposenwe also makes a return since her last appearance in the Olympic qualifiers against Nigeria in April last year.
Mavis Maiacane of Super Strikers in Mpumalanga is the only player plying her trade in the Sasol League.
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD vs MALAWI
INTERNATIONAL FRIENDLIES
| NAME | POSITION | CLUB | LOCATION |
| GOALKEEPERS | |||
| Kaylin SWART | JVW FC | South Africa | |
| Andile DLAMINI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | South Africa | |
| Casey GORDON | JVW FC | South Africa | |
| South Africa | |||
| DEFENDERS: | South Africa | ||
| Lebohang RAMALEPE | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | South Africa | |
| Fikile MAGAMA | UWC FC | South Africa | |
| Gabriela SALGADO | JVW FC | South Africa | |
| Shakira O’MALLEY | Western Michigan University | Michigan, USA | |
| Tiisetso MAKHUBELA | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | South Africa | |
| Noko MATLOU | Cacereño FC | Caceres, Spain | |
| Lonathemba MHLONGO | UWC FC | South Africa | |
| MIDFIELDERS: | |||
| Bongeka GAMEDE | Nordsjaelland | Farum, DENMARK | |
| Linda MOTLHALO | Glasgow City | Glasgow, Scotland | |
| Nonhlanhla MTHANDI | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | South Africa | |
| Nompumelelo NYANDENI | JVW FC | South Africa | |
| Amogelang MOTAU | Club Tijuana | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Noxolo CESANE | Eastern Flames | Dammam, Saudi Arabia | |
| FORWARDS: | |||
| Samkelisiwe SELANA | TS Galaxy Queens | South Africa | |
| Adrielle MIBE | University of JHB | South Africa | |
| Hilda MAGAIA | Club Tijuana | Tijuana, Mexico | |
| Mavis MAIACANE | Super Strikers | South Africa | |
| Jermaine SEOPOSENWE | CF Monterrey | Monterrey, Mexico | |
| Thembi KGATLANA | UANL Tigres | Nuevo León, Mexico | |
| Kgaelebane MOHLAKOANA | TP Mazembe | Lubumbashi, DR Congo | |
By Matlhomola Morake
