JVW young striker Tanna Hollis has been called up to the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana squad to face Malawi in two friendly matches scheduled for Saturday (5 April) and Tuesday (8 April) 2025 at the UJ Soccer Stadium in Soweto.
The Blue Diamonds’ forward takes the place of Super Strikers player Mavis Maiacane who has withdrawn due to illness – she was the only player in the squad plying her trade in the Sasol League. Hollis was in the Banyana Banyana team that defeated Lesotho in February in two friendly matches.
The two games are part of the African Champions’ preparations for the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in July where South Africa are the defending champions.
After selecting a youthful team to face Lesotho, Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has opted for more experience as she gets closer to naming her final squad for the continental championship.
She has brought out the big guns for the clash against the Scorchers of Malawi, naming 10 players based outside South Africa:
- the Mexico-based quartet of Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Amogelang Motau and Jermaine Seoposenwe,
- they have been joined by Linda Motlhalo who plays in Scotland,
- Bongeka Gamede (Denmark),
- Shakira O’Malley (USA),
- Noko Matlou (Spain),
- Kgaelebane Mohlakoana (DR Congo),
- and Noxolo Cesane (Saudi Arabia).
The trio of O’Malley, Magaia and Motau are expected on Thursday morning (3 April) in camp.
The matches are also the last dance for Banyana Banyana stalwarts and legends Matlou and Nompumelelo Nyandeni (JVW) as they bid farewell to the national team and retire from international football after these two games.
Meanwhile, Malawi will be without their influential players, the Chawinga sisters, Temwa and Tabitha, who are based in the USA and France respectively. Also not part of the team is Rose Kabzere (Première Ligue club Montpellier, France.)
“Of course, it’s disappointing to miss some players who strengthen our team, but the locally based players are improving and gaining maturity. With the addition of some foreign-based players, we will build a strong team,” Malawi head coach Lovemore Fazili told the FAM website.
After failing to book their ticket to the WAFCON in July, the Scorchers are using the games against South Africa to prepare for the second round of the 2026 WAFCON qualifiers against Angola in October.
Malawi had a bye in the first round after Congo withdrew from the competition.
“Every international friendly match is crucial for us. These matches will help us develop the team, and I truly appreciate the FA for organizing them. We have been lacking such preparation games, and they make a huge difference,” added Fazili.
The Malawians will, however, be able to call on the experience of their foreign-based players – Bernadette Mkandawire and Vanessa Chikupira (Kazakhstan), Sabina Thom (Georgia) and Chimwemwe Madise (DR Congo).
Tickets for the Banyana Banyana match will cost R50,00 for adults and R20,00 for children under 12 years of age.
They can be purchased at Ticketpro.
HERE ARE THE TWO SQUADS:
SOUTH AFRICA:
Goalkeepers:
Kaylin SWART, Casey GORDON (both JVW FC), Andile DLAMINI (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)
Defenders:
Lebohang RAMALEPE, Tiisetso MAKHUBELA, (both Sundowns Ladies), Fikile MAGAMA, Lonathemba MHLONGO (both UWC Ladies), Gabriela SALGADO (JVW FC), Shakira O’MALLEY (Western Michigan University, USA), Noko MATLOU (CP Cacereño, Spain)
Midfielders:
Bongeka GAMEDE (Nordsjælland, Denmark), Linda MOTLHALO (Glasgow City, Scotland), Nonhlanhla MTHANDI (Sundowns Ladies), Nompumelelo NYANDENI (JVW FC), Amogelang MOTAU (Club Tijuana, Mexico), Noxolo CESANE (Eastern Flames, Saudi Arabia)
Forwards:
Samkelisiwe SELANA (TS Galaxy Queens), Adrielle MIBE (UJ Ladies), Hildah MAGAIA (Club Tijuana, Mexico), TANNA HOLLIS (JVW),Jermaine SEOPOSENWE (CF Monterrey, Mexico), Thembi KGATLANA (UANL Tigres, Mexico), Kgaelebane MOHLAKOANA (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
MALAWI:
Goalkeepers:
Mercy SIKELO (Kukoma Ntopwa), Yamikani KAONGA (MDF Lioness), Ireen SIBANDE (Silver Strikers Ladies)
Defenders:
Chimwemwe MADISE (TP Mazembe), Bernadetta MKANDAWIRE (Biik Kaztgurt), Ireen KHUMALO (Silver Strikers Ladies), Rose ALUFANDIKA (Kukoma Ntopwa), Maureen KENNETH (Ascent Academy), MAGGIE CHAVULA (Ascent Academy), Justina JUMBO (Silver Strikers Ladies), Olivia PHIKANI (Kukoma Ntopwa)
Midfielders:
Leticia CHINYAMULA (Ascent Academy), Tendai SANI (FCB NBB Women), Zainab KAPANDA (FCB NBB Women), Jessie YOSEFE (Civil Service Women), Funny MAGOMBO (Kukoma Ntopwa), Caroline MATHYOLA (Silver Strikers Ladies), Lydia MCOCHOMA (Kukoma Mtopwa), Faruna UMALI (Mighty Wanderers)
Forwards:
Chisomo BANDA (Silver Strikers Ladies), Vitumbiko MKANDAWIRE (Civil Service Women), Sabina THOM (WFC Lanchkhuti), Vanessa CHIPIKULA (Biik Kazygurt)
By Matlhomola Morake
