Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has officially announced a robust 31-player preliminary training squad ahead of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The selection sets the foundation for South Africa’s dual-pronged mission: reclaiming their continental crown and securing an automatic qualification ticket to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup by reaching the tournament’s semi-final stage.
The Road to the World Cup: Group B Revealed
South Africa has been drawn into a competitive Group B. Every fixture will prove vital as the 2022 champions aim to make amends for their fourth-place finish in the 2024 edition, where Nigeria reclaimed the throne.
- Group B Opponents: Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania.
- The Opener: Banyana Banyana will kick off their campaign on 27 July against a rising Tanzania side.
Squad Architecture: Core Pillars Intact
Despite the author’s initial text mistakenly listing the team’s core veterans as absent in the prose, the official squad sheet confirms that elite heavyweights Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo, Refiloe Jane, Hildah Magaia, and Andile Dlamini are all firmly locked in to anchor the national setup alongside a vibrant influx of domestic and international youth prospects.
Full Banyana Banyana Preliminary WAFCON Squad
Goalkeepers
- Andile Dlamini
- Kaylin Swart
- Katlego Moletsane
Defenders
- Fikile Magama, Karabo Dhlamini, Shakira O’Malley, Bambanani Mbane, Khutso Pila, Sinegugu Zondi, Asanda Hadebe, Antonia Maponya, Tiisetso Makhubela, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Sibulele Holweni, Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado, Noxolo Cesane.
Midfielders
- Bongeka Gamede, Linda Motlhalo, Refiloe Jane, Zoe October, Lebohang Ramalepe, Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, Isabella Ludwig, Amogelang Motau, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Cimone Sauls.
Forwards
- Nthabiseng Majiya, Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia, Bonolo Mokoma, Ronnel Donnelly.
