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    Desiree Ellis Trims Banyana Banyana Squad to 26 for WAFCON Title Chase in Morocco

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    Desiree Ellis Trims Banyana Banyana Squad to 26 for WAFCON Title Chase in Morocco

    Sasol Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis has named her final squad of 26 players for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, unveiling the group at a squad announcement and send-off event at Sasol Place in Sandton on Friday, 17 July 2026.

    Ellis and her technical staff kept faith with the bulk of the players on duty in recent windows, trimming a preliminary group of 31 to the final 26, with Bonolo Mokoma, Cimone Sauls, Sinegugu Zondi, Shakira O’Malley and Tiisetso Makhubela the players to miss out on the continental showpiece, which runs from Sunday, 26 July to Sunday, 16 August 2026.

    “It is never easy choosing the squad for any tournament, but it is something that has to be done and unfortunately, we cannot take all the players with us. Bringing down the squad to 31 was very difficult, but even more so to come up with the final 26. We are satisfied with the selection we made, and we have complete faith that they will deliver on the mandate.

    “A big thank you to SAFA and Sasol for backing this team all the way, gratitude also goes to all the other partners who are behind Sasol Banyana Banyana and not forgetting the millions of South Africans fans who have invested their emotions with Banyana Banyana.” 

    Sasol Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis

    The additions to the group that campaigned at the previous edition include Kebotseng Moletsane, Isabella Ludwig, Asanda Hadebe, Antonia Maponya, Zoe October, Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, Nthabiseng Majiya and Thembi Kgatlana, while Ronnel Donnelly returns after a recent spell out of selection and Robyn Moodaly-Salgado pulls on the jersey for the first time since 2023.

    Six players will make their tournament debut in Moletsane, Hadebe, Maponya, Khutso Pila, Ludwig and October, with October the youngest member of the squad at 18 years old.

    “We have a nice mixture of youth and experience and that was key in making our selection because while we have immediate goals, we still need to look beyond the tournament and not be found wanting. We are under no illusion that this competition will be tough, but we believe we have a balanced squad and are well prepared for what lies ahead of us,” added Ellis.

    The 2022 African champions will make their 14th appearance at the tournament and have been drawn in Group B alongside Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, with the 2026 edition doubling as the qualification route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where the four semi-finalists will book their places at the global showpiece.

    “The mission is clear, qualify for the World Cup and then we see how far we go. And that means the focus for now is the opening game against Tanzania as it will set the tone for the tournament. We also depart with the full knowledge of the weight of expectations from all South Africans and we promise not to disappoint,” said Ellis.

    SABC Sport’s Keletso Totlhanyo and Sasol Executive Vice President of People, SHE, Risk, and Corporate Affairs, Thabile Makgala.
    SABC Sport’s Keletso Totlhanyo and Sasol Executive Vice President of People, SHE, Risk, and Corporate Affairs, Thabile Makgala.

    Banyana Banyana open against Tanzania at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Monday, 27 July 2026 at 18h00 local time (19h00 SA time), meet Côte d’Ivoire at the same time on Friday, 31 July 2026 and conclude the group stage against Burkina Faso at 22h00 SA time on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, with all three fixtures staged at the same venue.

    Speaking at the send-off, SAFA Vice President and NEC Member Anastasia Tsichlas paid tribute to the team’s impact on South African women’s football.

    “Today’s send-off is more than a farewell; it is a celebration of a team that has inspired a nation. Sasol Banyana Banyana are ambassadors for South African football, women’s empowerment and national pride.”

    SAFA Vice President and NEC Member, Anastasia Tsichlas

    “As the 2022 WAFCON champions, they travel to Morocco carrying the hopes of millions of South Africans. We have every confidence that they will represent South Africa with courage, excellence, and pride. We wish them every success as they once again fly the South African flag high,” said Tsichlas.

    The squad departs for Morocco on Saturday, 18 July 2026, with the overseas-based quartet of Kgatlana and Amogelang Motau, both based in Mexico, Linda Motlhalo in Scotland and Bongeka Gamede in Denmark joining up with the team in North Africa.

    Banyana Banyana return to the country where they lifted a first continental crown in 2022, aiming to improve on a fourth-place finish at the previous edition and to carry South Africa back to the World Cup stage in Brazil.

    The Sasol Banyana Banyana WAFCON 2026 Group B Campaign at the Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca:

    Mon 27 July, 19h00: South Africa vs. Tanzania
    Fri 31 July, 19h00: South Africa vs. Côte d’Ivoire
    Tue 4 August, 22h00: South Africa vs. Burkina Faso

    All times CAT

    Sasol Banyana Banyana WAFCON 2026 Squad

    Goalkeepers

    Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)
    Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Kebotseng Moletsane (University of Fort Hare FC)

    Defenders

    Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Lonathemba Mhlongo (University of the Western Cape FC)
    Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Asanda Hadebe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Antonia Maponya (University of the Western Cape FC)
    Khutso Pila (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Fikile Magama (University of the Western Cape FC)

    Midfielders

    Bongeka Gamede (FC Nordsjaelland, Denmark)
    Noxolo Cesane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado (JVW FC)
    Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland)
    Nonhlanhla Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy Queens FC)
    Sibulele Holweni (University of the Western Cape FC)
    Isabella Ludwig (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Robyn Moodaly-Salgado (JVW FC)
    Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico)

    Forwards

    Hildah Magaia (Unattached)
    Thembi Kgatlana (Tigres UANL, Mexico)
    Ronnel Donnelly (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
    Zoe October (University of the Western Cape FC)

    Main Photo Caption: Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Peace Mabe welcomed the announcement of the final squad of 26 players for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations by head coach Dr Desiree Ellis, where the 2022 African champions open their Group B campaign against Tanzania at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Monday, 27 July 2026. All Photos: SABC Sport

    Photo 2 Caption: SABC Sport’s Keletso Totlhanyo and Sasol Executive Vice President of People, SHE, Risk, and Corporate Affairs, Thabile Makgala.

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