Sasol Banyana Banyana’s road to the Brazil 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup begins in earnest when they participate in this year’s 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship.
A few days ago, coach Dr Desiree Ellis announced a 38-member squad in preparation for an Alignment camp for the COSAFA Women’s Championship and the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON).
The team went into camp on Friday, 13 February, in preparation for the two tournaments to be played this year. The WAFCON is scheduled to take place in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April 2026, while the COSAFA Women’s Championship will be held in Polokwane, South Africa, from 18 February to 1 March 2026.
Dr Ellis will use the regional tournament as part of her preparations for WAFCON, and a squad made up of only local-based players will assemble for camp in Johannesburg on Friday before making their way to Limpopo on Sunday. The overseas-based contingent is expected to start arriving from Wednesday, 25 February, in line with the FIFA calendar window.
The squad will be trimmed down to the required number after the COSAFA Women’s Championship before they travel to North Africa. In the regional tournament, the South African senior women’s national team was drawn in Group A alongside Malawi, Lesotho, and Angola.
The 2022 African Champions will kick off the competition with a clash against the Scorchers of Malawi on Wednesday, 18 February at the Seshego Stadium. The action will move to the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in the next two matches, where the South Africans will host Angola on Saturday, 21 February, followed by the last group stage game against Lesotho on Tuesday, 24 February 2026.
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Kickoff for all three fixtures is at 15h00. The semi-final clashes have been penciled in for Friday, 27 February 2026.
There is a third-place play-off match on Sunday, 1 March at midday, which will precede the final scheduled for 15h00 on the same day at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium.
In the WAFCON, Banyana Banyana will face off against the Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso, and Tanzania. For the first time in the history of the competition, 16 nations will take part, and the top four will qualify for the Brazil 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup.
COSAFA Women’s Championship Polokwane, South Africa from 18 February to 1 March 2026
Group A
South Africa
Malawi
Lesotho
Angola
Group B
Zambia
Botswana
Eswatini
Zimbabwe
Group C
Mozambique
Namibia
Madagascar
COSAFA Women’s Championship Group A Fixtures
18 February – Lesotho vs Angola
18 February – South Africa va Malawi
21 February – Malawi vs Lesotho
21 February – South Africa vs Angola
24 February – Angola vs Malawi
24 February – South Africa vs Lesotho
Women’s African Cup of Nations in Morocco from 17 March to 3 April 2026
Group A
Morocco
Algeria
Senegal
Kenya
Group B
South Africa
Ivory Coast
Burkina Faso
Tanzania
Group C
Nigeria
Zambia
Egypt
Malawi
Group D
Ghana
Cameroon
Mali
Cape Verde
WAFCON Group B Fixtures
17 March – South Africa vs Tanzania
17 March – Ivory Coast vs Burkina Faso
20 March – South Africa vs Ivory Coast
20 March – Burkina Faso vs Tanzania
23 March – Burkina Faso vs South Africa
23 March – Tanzania vs Ivory Coast
Sasol Banyana Banyana Alignment Camp
Goalkeepers
Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Dineo Magagula (TS Galaxy Queens FC)
Casey Gordon (JVW FC)
Defenders
Fikile Magama (The University of the Western Cape)
Asanda Hadebe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Shakira O’Malley (The University of the Western Cape)
Sinegugu Zondi (The University of the Western Cape)
Yolanda Nduli (University of Johannesburg FC)
Antonia Mponya (The University of the Western Cape)
Lonathemba Mhlongo (The University of the Western Cape)
Unathi Simayile (The University of the Western Cape)
Khutso Pila (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Sibahle Maneli (TS Galaxy Queens FC)
Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Midfielders
Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC)
Sbongakonke Mzobe (University of Johannesburg FC)
Gugu Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Sibulele Holweni (The University of the Western Cape)
Zoe October (Spurs WFC)
Thorisho Mphelo (JVW FC)
Bongeka Gamede (Nordsjaelland, Denmark)
Jessica Wade (Aland United, Finland)
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City FC, Scotland)
Nonhlanhla Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy Queens FC)
Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico)
Regina Mogolola (JVW FC)
Bongiwe Thusi (JVW FC)
Isabella Ludwig (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Forwards
Noxolo Cesane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Hildah Magaia (Real Club Deportivo La Coruna, Spain)
Thembi Kgatlana (Tigres Uanl, Mexico)
Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Bonolo Mokoma (JVW FC)
Thato Mofolo (University of Johannesburg FC)
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Sasol Banyana Banyana’s journey to the 2027 FIFA World Cup starts now as Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis assembles her squad for the COSAFA Championship and WAFCON, with African women’s football action beginning against Malawi in Polokwane, South Africa, on 18 February 2026. Photo: Supplied
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