Banyana Banyana forward Thembi Kgatlana returns to the South African Senior Women’s National team after missing out on the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 due to personal reasons.
The Mexico-based star has been named in the squad of 25 players to face the Democratic Republic of Congo (DRC) in a crucial qualifier – the winner over two legs will book their tickets to the 2026 WAFCON set to be staged in March in Morocco. The top four nations in that tournament will represent the African continent at the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Kgatlana last played for South Africa in the back-to-back international friendly matches against Malawi – Banyana Banyana won 3-0 and 2-1 in April this year, with the games used to prepare for the WAFCON.
Kgatlana has since missed eight matches – Botswana, Zambia, Ghana, Tanzania, Mali, Senegal, Nigeria and Ghana.
The Randfontein-born speedster returns to the national which will be without Mexico-based Jermaine Seoposenwe who has called time on her international career.
Kgatlana is one of the six changes from the 2026 WAFCON squad – joining her are defenders Shakira O’Malley (UWC) and Yolanda Nduli (UJ Ladies; midfielder Jessica Wade (JVW) and forwards Sinoxolo Cesane (Mazatlán – Mexico) and Thato Mofolo (UJ Ladies.
There are seven overseas-based players in the squad – Kgatlana, Cesane, Amogelang Motau, Hilda Magaia (all Mexico); Kgaelebane Mohlakoana (DR Congo), Bongeka Gamede (Denmark) and Linda Motlhlao (Scotland).
The DR Congo clash will be the first match for Banyana Banyana since July 2025 when South Africa lost 4-3 on penalties Ghana – after a 1-all stalemate at full time – and finished in fourth place at the WAFCON.
Missing out from the Morocco trip are Lonathemba Mhlongo, Sibulele Holweni (both UWC); Gabriela Salgado (JVW); Ronnel Donnelly (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies) and Seoposenwe.
The squad assembles on Sunday, 19 October in Johannesburg and will fly out to Central Africa on the same day for a date with the Leopards Dames three days later (Wednesday, 22 October). The clash stakes place at Stade des Martyrs in the capital Kinshasa.
The return leg will be held at the iconic FNB Stadium in Johannesburg on Tuesday, 28 October.
Banyana Banyana squad to face DR Congo:
| Name | Position | Club | Province |
| GOALKEEPERS: | |||
| Kaylin SWART | JVW FC | Gauteng | |
| Andile DLAMINI | Sundowns Ladies | Gauteng | |
| Dineo MAGAGULA | TS Galaxy Queens | Gauteng | |
| DEFENDERS: | |||
| Lebohang RAMALEPE | Sundowns Ladies | Gauteng | |
| Fikile MAGAMA | Univ. of Western Cape | Western Cape | |
| Tiisetso MAKHUBELA | Sundowns Ladies | Gauteng | |
| Bambanani MBANE | Sundowns Ladies | Gauteng | |
| Karabo DHLAMINI | Sundowns Ladies | Gauteng | |
| Shakira O’MALLEY | Univ. of Western Cape | Western Cape | |
| Yoland NDULI | Univ. of Johannesburg | Gauteng | |
| MIDFIELDERS: | |||
| Bongeka GAMEDE | Nordsjaelland | Denmark | |
| Jessica Wade | JVW | Gauteng | |
| Linda Motlhalo | Glasgow City | Scotland | |
| Nonhlanhla Mthandi | Sundowns Ladies | Gauteng | |
| Refiloe JANE (C) | TS Galaxy Queens | Gauteng | |
| Amogelang MOTAU | Club Tijuana | Mexico | |
| Regina MOGOLOLA | JVW FC | Gauteng | |
| Noxolo CESANE | Sundowns Ladies | Gauteng | |
| FORWARDS: | |||
| Kgaelebane MOHLAKOANA | TP Mazembe | DR Congo | |
| Hilda MAGAIA | Club Tijuana | Mexico | |
| Sinoxolo CESANE | Mazatlán FC | Mexico | |
| Thembi KGATLANA | UANL Tigres | Mexico | |
| Thato MOFOLO | Univ. of Johannesburg | Gauteng | |
| Nthabiseng MAJIYA | Sundowns Ladies | Gauteng | |
| Bonolo MOKOMA | JVW FC | Gauteng |
By Matlhomola Morake
