Desiree Ellis announces her Banyana Banyana army ahead of Wafcon defence

There was little surprise when Desiree Ellis announced her team for next month’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon). The longtime Banyana Banyana coach selected a team largely consisting of players who were present when South Africa made history by winning a maiden Wafcon title. 

Experienced campaigners such as midfield maestros Refiloe Jane and Linda  Bambanani Mbane, goalkeepers Andile Dlamini and Kaylin Swart, as well as forwards Jermaine Seoposenswe and Hildah Magaia, will be the bedrock of the team. 

Seoponsenwe (who will retire from international soccer at the end of Wafcon) and Magaia will be particularly crucial in the absence of fellow sharpshooter Thembi Kgatlana. The former African footballer of the year has excused herself from national duty for “personal reasons”.

Versatility and depth

In the past, Banyana Banyana have had to do without players for myriad reasons, from exams to visa issues and injuries. Ellis has made it her task to expand the team and expose several players to the demanding levels of international soccer.

The coach says the 26-player squad she unveiled on Monday, 23 June is a representation of the versatility and fluidity she has tried to build during her tenure with the senior women’s national team.  

“Losing any player, and a player of Thembi’s quality, is a huge loss. But in 2022, we had players step up when Thembi got injured, despite the country going into mourning [after the injury]. But we had planned and prepared for different scenarios,” said Ellis.

“Now it’s an opportunity for someone else to step up. You don’t want to lose your top players, but it is what it is. And we have to respect that, her personal reasons. I support her. We know she’ll be back bigger and stronger,” said Ellis. 

Young prospects 

Kgatlana’s absence has opened up a spot for the young players in the Banyana Banyana fold to step up. Teenagers such as JVW’s Bonolo Mokoma and zippy winger Adrielle Mibe will be hungry to show what they can do in the absence of one of the continent’s most lethal strikers.

Another new face in the team is University of the Western Cape’s Ronnel Donnelly. The 21-year-old striker has undoubtedly been included for physical presence against robust defenders. Young goalkeeper Casey Gordon and striker Nthabiseng Majiya will not travel with the squad, but will be on standby.

“It’s never about age. We look at the leagues and see who is performing. We look at who adds value, because you can be performing, but we also look at the positions that we need certain players in. So, that will help us a lot,” Ellis said.

“There are a few new players in, but we’ve seen their quality and what they can add. Hopefully, they will step up because this is an opportunity for them to change their lives and make their dreams come true,” the coach said.

Captain fantastic

Ellis also announced that Jane will not captain the team alone at Wafcon. Instead, she will share the responsibility with co-captains, fellow midfielder Amogelang Motau, plus veteran defender Lebogang Ramalepe. 

Banyana’s Jane recently made her return to international soccer after a year-long injury-enforced absence. The skipper last featured for South Africa in their 2024 Paris Olympics qualification clash against Nigeria, in April 2024.

The midfield general — who is also back playing for TS Galaxy in South Africa after leaving Italian outfit Sassuolo last year — put in a solid shift against Botswana in May. The central midfielder says she is honoured to lead her country at another major tournament.

“It’s been a long journey since I got injured, and I was sidelined for a few months. But with the work that we did behind the scenes, I had no doubt that I would recover in time [for Wafcon] … It wasn’t easy, but I knew it was doable,” Jane told journalists.

“What’s nice is that we have players who have been in the system and have learnt from [the senior players]… We just have to get the players to be on the same page and the ones with the experience to share [their knowledge] with the others,” the captain said on the balance of the team.

Twelve teams qualified for the 2024 Wafcon, which will take place from 5 to 26 July 2025. Banyana are in Group C, where they will face tough tests against Ghana, Mali and Tanzania. DM

Banyana Banyana Wafcon squad

Goalkeepers:

Kaylin Swart (JVW)
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Dineo Magagula (TS Galaxy)
Casey Gordon (JVW)

Defenders:

Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Fikile Magama (University of Western Cape)
Gabriela Salgado (JVW)
Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Lonathemba Mhlongo (University of Western Cape)

Midfielders:

Bongeka Gamede (Nodsjællend, Norway)
Sibulele Holweni (University of Western Cape)
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland)
Nonhlanhla Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy)
Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico)
Regina Mogolola (JVW)
Noxolo Cesane (Mamelodi Sundowns)

Forwards:

Adrielle Mibe (University of Johannesburg)
Kgaelebane Mohlakoana (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
Hildah Magaia (Club Tijuana, Mexico)
Jermaine Seoposenwe (CF Monterrey, Mexico)
Ronnel Donnelly (University of Western Cape)
Bonolo Mokoma (JVW)
Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns)