Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has named her final squad for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against Burkina Faso.
Ellis kept the core of the team with no major changes to the squad that battled it out with DR Congo last month for the 2024 Paris Olympic Qualifiers.
Banyana will kick things off away from home in the first leg on Thursday 30 November 2023 and then host the West Africans in the return match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville on Monday 4 December.
A big talking point in Ellis’s squad has been the call up of former captain Janine van Wyk, who left the previous camp controversially.
Van Wyk is on the verge of becoming the most capped African player male or female.
She is currently on 183 caps, while Egyptian legend Ahmed Hassan holds the record with 184 caps, meaning the two games against Burkina Faso will see her equal and break the record.
“We’ll do our utmost best for her to get her two caps.
It’s not just a record for her but I think it’s a record for women’s football in the country, it’s a record for SAFA and a record for women’s football on the continent.”
“Yes, she was in the previous camp, and I was asked the question by the media if there will be another opportunity and I said, yes, there’ll be an opportunity, and Burkina Faso is the opportunity,” said Ellis.
On the other hand, the coach has confirmed that she’s in talks with TS Galaxy Queens 36-year-old forward Nompumelelo Nyandeni regarding getting her 150th cap before she retires from international football. Nyandeni is currently on 149 caps.
“I’ve been in conversation with Mpumi, there is an opportunity.
We’ve had conversations so, as I said before, Janine was the first to reach out to say she’s retiring, Mpumi is the second that’s reached out, and we’ve had conversations so there’s definitely something in the pipeline and I can confidently say that I’m busy with that,” explained Ellis.
Noticeable missing players from the squad are captain Refiloe Jane and defender Bambanani Mbane who are out nursing injuries.
The team will assemble for camp on Sunday 26 November 2023 and then travel in the early hours of the morning on Monday 27 November.
- Full 24-member squad announced:
- Keepers: Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Katlego Moletsane
- Defenders: Karabo Dhlamini, Fikile Magama, Van Wyk, Faith Nokuthula, Asanda Hadebe, Noko Matlou, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Lebogang Ramalepe
- Midfielders: Linda Motlhalo, Kholosa Biyana, Sphumelele Shamase, Amogelang Motau, Thubelihle Shamase
- Forwards Nicole Michael, Gabriela Salgado, Noxolo Cesane, Wendy Shongwe, Hildah Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana, Samkelisiwe Selana, Jermaine Seoposenwe
