African champions Banyana Banyana will face Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in next year’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, after the draw for the continental tournament was conducted in Sale, Morocco, on Friday, 22 November, 2024.
Dr Desiree Ellis led the South African senior women’s national team to the continental title in Morocco in 2022, and she will be intending to defend the title in the same country next year.
“It is not going to be easy, past results mean nothing. Now that we know who our opponents are, we can start preparing and getting ready for the WAFCON, as African champions.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis
Postponed to 2025 after planned dates clashed with the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, the event will take place from 5 to 26 July, 2025, in Morocco, and Banyana Banyana will be gunning for a repeat of their heroics.
The youth-strong Banyana Banyana squad announced by Ellis to face the Reggae Queens of Jamaica in two away international friendly assemble in Johannesburg on Monday, ahead of their opening fixture in Montego Bay, on 29 November, 2024.
“Going into the matches against Jamaica we will still going to be working on ourselves, and our preparations for the WAFCON. It is always a great thing to win matches, but we are in a preparation face, and what is important is to get us playing as a unit, conceding less goals, staying compact and converting our chances.”
The second and final fixture on 2 December 2024 signals the completion of another step in Ellis’ international campaign, which has seen significant resources invested in preparations for the WAFCON.
Several players in the squad have had a taste of the South African senior women’s national team set-up and impressed Dr Ellis enough to earn call-ups as the team continues to prepare for 2025.
This includes players who raised their hands during the recent COSAFA Women’s Championship in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, where South Africa lost out to Zambia on penalties in the final.
Goalkeeper Jessica Williams has been rewarded after her outstanding performance in the COSAFA Championships where she was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament.
Asanda Hadebe, who was tasked with helping to lead the youthful squad coached by Maud Khumalo, returns to the senior national team fold, and Bongeka Gamede – who recently moved to Danish side Nordsjaelland, returns to the senior team along with renowned Nomvula Kgoale.
Ntando Phahla, Sibongile Ntoane and Gugu Dlamini, who have had great seasons at club level and at the COSAFA Women’s Championships, have also been called up. Junior international Shakira O’Malley, who plies her trade at the Western Michigan University in the USA, has also been selected to complete the 23 players called up.
Speaking after the squad was announced at the SABC studios in Auckland Park, Dr Ellis said that the pool of players was growing at an exciting rate as many of the players have come through the junior teams.
“We never forget players and we are always watching all over the world, so for a players like O’Malley and Williams to get a call-up is not a surprise,” said Dr Ellis.
The Banyana Banyana Squad for the International Friendlies Series against Jamaica in Montego Bay from 29 November to 2 December, 2024
Goalkeepers
Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Jessica Williams (Badgers FC)
Defenders
Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Shakira O’Malley (Western Michigan University)
Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Ntando Phala (University of Pretoria)
Lonathemba Mhlongo (The University of the Western Cape)
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Asanda Hadebe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Midfielders
Bongeka Gamede (Nordsjaelland)
Nomvula Kgoale (TS Galaxy FC)
Noxolo Cesane (Eastern Flames)
Amogelang Motau (The University of the Western Cape
Kholosa Biyana (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Sibongile Ntoane (Tswane University of Technology)
Nonhlanhla Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Sibulele Holweni (The University of the Western Cape)
Forwards
Nicole Michael (TS Galaxy FC)
Hilda Magaia (KC Current)
Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Gugu Dlamini (University of Johannesburg)
Linda Motlhalo (Racing Louisville)
Main Photo Caption: As South Africa’s African champs were confirmed in their Group C draw to face Ghana, Mali and Tanzania in the 2025 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, Dr Ellis unveils a youth-strong Banyana Banyana about to fly off for the twin Reggae Queens International Friendlies, starting 29 November, 2024. Photo: SAFA
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