Banyana Banyana will take on Burkina Faso in their two-legged 2024 African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, with the first meeting taking place on Thursday, 30 November 2023, at the Stade Charles Konan Banny in Yamoussoukro, capital of Côte d’Ivoire at 6 pm.
The African champions landed in Ivory Coast on Monday afternoon and spent a night in Abidjan where they were joined by the foreign–based trio of Linda Motlhalo, Faith Nokuthula, and Noko Matlou.
Coach Desiree Ellis said her charges had their first official training session on Tuesday morning and she confirmed a clean bill of health ahead of the encounter against Burkina Faso.
“I can thankfully say that we have a clean bill of health. Everybody participated in the training session, and everybody arrived [the overseas–based players] – Linda, Faith, and Noko arrived last night.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Desiree Ellis
“A little bit of a rest day yesterday after the long travel. We have to manage so many players that have played so many 90 minutes over the last three weeks and we have to keep them fresh,” said Ellis.
Banyana has undertaken quite the journey to get to the Ivory Coast as the team embarked on a three–hour bus ride to Yamoussoukro on Tuesday afternoon ahead of tonight’s match. Ellis’ team is filled with the players who secured a historic Women’s World Cup finish, so there will certainly be an air of positivity in the South African camp.
The team will have their matchday -1 training session on Wednesday afternoon to fine-tune the final details before taking to the field for the game later in the day.
Banyana will return to South Africa on Saturday, 2 December 2023, and then host Burkina Faso in the return match at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Monday, 4 December 2023.
Banyana Banyana 24-Member Squad to Face Burkina Faso
Goalkeepers:
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)
Katlego Moletsane (Royal AM)
Defenders:
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Fikile Magama (UWC)
Faith Nokuthula (Blackburn Rovers)]
Janine Van Wyk (JVW FC)
Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Lonathemba Mhlongo (UWC)
Noko Matlou (SD Eibar)
Asanda Hadebe (Sunflower WFC)
Midfielders:
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City)
Kholosa Biyana (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Sphumelele Shamase (UJ FC)
Amogelang Motau (UWC)
Thubelihle Shamase (UJ FC)
Forwards:
Nicole Michael (TS Galaxy)
Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC)
Samkelisiwe Selana (TS Galaxy)
Jermaine Seoposenwe (C.F. Monterrey)
Noxolo Cesane (UWC)
Wendy Shongwe (University of Pretoria)
Hildah Magaia (Sejong Sportstoto WFC)
Thembi Kgatlana (Racing Louisville FC)
Photo caption: Banyana Banyana will take on Burkina Faso in their two-legged African Cup of Nations (AFCON) qualifier, with the first meeting taking place on Thursday, 30 November 2023, at the Stade Charles Konan Banny de Yamoussoukro at 6pm. Photo: Banyana Banyana on X
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