Banyana Banyana have settled into camp ahead of their two Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifiers against Madagascar at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday, 9 October 2026 and Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
The 2022 African champions arrived in the City of Roses on Monday, 5 October to begin preparations. Madagascar, who do not have a suitable home venue, will host the first leg, which kicks off at 15h00 and will be played without spectators at the visitors’ request. The Madagascar team were due in the Free State on Wednesday, 7 October.
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Banyana Banyana held their first training session at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium on Tuesday, 6 October and have completed two sessions since their arrival, with two more to come before the first leg.
South Africa last competed at the Olympic Games at Rio 2016 in Brazil and are eager to return to the global stage.
“We haven’t qualified for last two Olympic Games, we got knocked out in the first round in 2019, we reached the final round against Nigeria and lost narrowly. It’s really important that we start getting to the Olympics.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis
“We qualified back-to-back in the past and then you don’t qualify for two, it’s important for us qualify for these global events because the newer players that come in, and the younger players that come in, will also gain a lot of experience through that. So, it’s really important that we get off on a good start on Friday to make sure that we get to the next round,” said Ellis.
Banyana Banyana remain in contention for FIFA Women’s World Cup qualification and will contest the play-offs in November, and Ellis sees a dual purpose in the Madagascar fixtures.
“It’s not just about this game, it’s also about the game in November, so we’re using it two-fold because you have very little time to prepare and we know that it is a very big tournament as well that we need to prepare for,” added Ellis.
“So we’ll be preparing for Madagascar but also looking at how we can get the team to be a better version of themselves come November.”
Thembi Kgatlana (Mexico), Linda Motlhalo (Scotland), Bongeka Gamede (Denmark) and Hildah Magaia (Saudi Arabia) have already reported for national team duty, while Amogelang Motau (Mexico) was due to join the squad on Wednesday afternoon.
Banyana Banyana will be without experienced defender Bambanani Mbane, who has returned home to continue her injury rehabilitation.
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The second leg kicks off at 18h00, with supporters welcome at the Free State Stadium. Tickets cost R50 for adults and R20 for children under 12.
The Madagascar vs. Banyana Banyana CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Round Two at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein
Fri 9 Oct, 15h00: Madagascar vs. Banyana Banyana
Tue 13 Oct, 18h00: Banyana Banyana vs. Madagascar
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis and her squad have set up camp for a two-legged Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games qualifier against Madagascar, opening behind closed doors at 15h00 before a return leg at 18h00 with supporters welcome, at the Free State Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday, 9 October 2026 and Tuesday, 13 October 2026. Photo: SAFA
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