Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has named her 23-player squad for the upcoming 2024 Women's Africa Cup of Nations two-legged qualifier against Burkina Faso, on Thursday 30 November in Yamoussoukro in Ivory Coast.
The 2nd leg of the qualifiers will take place on Monday, 4 December inside the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.
The winner will then progress to the WAFCON finals set to return to Morocco for a second successive edition after last year’s tournament, which was won by South Africa.
Coach Ellis chose a diverse team, with CAF women’s league winning goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini and the return of veteran defenders Noko Matlou, who was absent during the 2024 Olympic Games qualifiers against DR Congo as well as friendlies against the USA, and Lebo Ramalepe.
Former captain Janine van Wyk is also back in the fold, and two caps away from reaching 185 appearances and ultimately becoming the all-time most capped African female player at an international level.
University of Johannesburg’s Shamase twins also made it to the national squad.
𝐍𝐀𝐓𝐈𝐎𝐍𝐀𝐋 𝐂𝐀𝐋𝐋 𝐔𝐏
— UJ Sport (@UJ_Sport) November 23, 2023
Congratulations to UJ's Sphumelele and Thubelihle Shamase for yet another selection into the national squad, Banyana Banyana for the upcoming WAFCON 2024 Final leg Qualifiers against Burkina Faso. pic.twitter.com/s63tO32g23
The team is as follows:
Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kaylin Swart (JVW FC), Katlego Moletsane (Royal AM)
Defenders: Karabo Dhlamini, Lebo Ramalepe (both Sundowns), Fikile Magama, Lonathemba Mhlongo (both UWC FC), Faith Nokuthula (Blackburn Rovers, England), Janine van Wyk (JVW), Noko Matlou (SD Eibar, Spain), Asanda Hadebe (Sunflower WFC)
Midfielders: Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland), Kholosa Biyana (Sundowns), Sphumelele Shamase, Thubelihle Shamase (both UJ FC), Amogelang Motau (UWC)
Forwards: Nicole Michael, Samkelisiwe Selana (both TS Galaxy Queens), Gabriela Salgado (JVW), Jermain Seoposenwe (CF Monterray, Mexico), Noxolo Cesane (UWC), Wendy Shongwe (University of Pretoria), Hildah Magaia (Sejong Sportstoto, South Korea), Thembi Kgatlana (Racing Louisville, USA)
