CentreCircle.online has learnt that the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana have secured two international friendly matches against neighbours Botswana and Zambia later this month.
South Africa will take on the Mares of Botswana on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 and will follow up with a clash against the Copper Queens three days later (Saturday, 31 May 2025).
Botswana and Zambia also have a date as they will face off on Tuesday, 3 June.
All the matches will be played in South Africa at as yet unnamed venues and the three COSAFA members are using the fixtures to prepare for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) which will take place in Morocco from 5 – 26 July 2025.
Banyana Banyana are the defending champions, and have been drawn in Group C alongside Ghana, Mali and Tanzania.
Botswana will face Algeria, Nigeria and Tunisia in Group C, while Zambia will tackle Morocco, DR Congo and Senegal in Group A.
It is not clear when South Africa and Botswana will announce their teams, but Copper Queens head coach Nora Häuptle has already named a provisional squad of 35 players, which includes the lethal USA-based quartet of strikers Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride) and Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC), as well as midfielders Grace Chanda and Prisca Chilufya (both Orlando Pride).
WAFCON DRAW:
Group A:
Zambia
Morocco
DR Congo
Senegal
Group B:
Botswana
Algeria
Nigeria
Tunisia
Group C:
South Africa
Ghana
Mali
Tanzania
Zambia 35-MEMBER PROVISIONAL SQUAD:
GOALKEEPERS:
Leticia Lungu (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Mwila Chishala Mufunte (Green Buffaloes), Catherine Musonda (Red Arrows), Margaret Phiri (The Elite Ladies), Eunice Sakala (Indeni Roses)
DEFENDERS:
Martha Tembo, Lushomo Mweemba (both Hakkarigucu Spor-Turkey), Margaret Belemu (Red Arrows), Margaret Gondwe, Esther Siamfuko (both Green Buffaloes), Josephine Lubinda (Choma Warriors), Zamiwe Mukokomena (Indeni Roses), Matildah Mukunda (The Elite Ladies), Judith Soko (ZESCO Ndola Girls), Pauline Zulu (ZANACO Ladies)
MIDFIELDERS:
Ireen Lungu (Sichuan-China), Xiomara Mapepa (Beijing Jingstan FC-China), Racheal Nachula (Hapoel Jerusalem-Israel), Grace Chanda, Prisca Chilufya (both Orlando Pride-USA), Maweta Chilenga, Evarine Susan Katongo, Natasha Nanyangwe (all Green Buffaloes), Rhoda Chileshe (Indeni Roses), Mercy Chipasula (Kamfinsa Blue Eagles Queens), Avell Chitundu, Marjory Mulenga (both ZESCO Ndola Girls), Mapalo Maluba (Nchanga Rangers Queens), Mary Wilombe, Mary Mambwe (both Red Arrows)
FORWARDS:
Barbra Banda (Orlando Pride-USA), Fridah Mukoma (Beijing Jingstan FC-China), Kabange Mupopo (Henan WFC-China), Racheal Kundananji (Bay FC-USA), Penelope Mulubwa (ZESCO Ndola Girls)
By Matlhomola Morake
