Banyana Banyana head coach Disari Ellis has formed a strong squad of 24 players for the upcoming two Confederation of African Football (CAF) Olympic qualification matches against Madagascar. These games will take place on October 9 and 13 at the Toyota stadium.
Ellis retained her quartet of goalkeepers from the winter WAFCON tournament, including Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, and Kebotseng Moletsane. In the defensive line, she continued to use experienced players such as Bambanani Mbane, Fikile Magama, and Bongeka Gamede. Sinegugu Zondi returned to the team after being absent from WAFCON, replacing Asandu Hadebe.
Some midfielders, including Nonkhlanhla Mtandi, Robin Mudali-Salgado, and Sibulele Holweni, were not included in the list. However, captain Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo, and Amogelang Motaung returned to the team. The coach is placing special emphasis on the attack, calling up key forwards: Tembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, and Ronnel Donnelly. Siamtanda Kashani and Bonolo Mokona, who missed WAFCON, also joined the squad, while Ntabiseng Majiya was not selected.
Achieving positive results against Madagascar is crucial for Banyana. The South African national team failed to qualify for the Olympics under Ellis in 2020 and 2024 due to defeats against Botswana and Nigeria, respectively. The team is facing increasing pressure following their unsuccessful run to the WAFCON quarter-finals, which prevented automatic qualification for the World Cup, although hopes for participation in the global tournament remain alive through the upcoming playoffs.
Against the backdrop of SAFA's new term following Danny Jordaan's re-election as president, expectations for Banyana are high: the team must secure Olympic qualification for the first time since 2016. The final squad announced by Dr. Disari Ellis includes goalkeepers Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Kebotseng Moletsane; defenders Bambanani Mbane, Fikile Magama, Bongeka Gamede, Sinegugu Zondi, Karabo Dlamni, Tisetso Makubela, Lonatemba Mkhlongo; midfielders Refiloe Jane (captain), Linda Motlhalo, Amogelang Motaung, Kholosa Biyana, Nomvula Kgoale, Sfumelele Shamase; and forwards Tembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Ronnel Donnelly, Siamtanda Kashani, Bonolo Mokona, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Gabriela Salgado, and Hilda Magaia.