Sasol Banyana Banyana Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis has named her squad of 23 players for the upcoming 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-offs in Morocco, making the announcement at the SABC Sport Studios in Auckland Park, Johannesburg on Tuesday, 10 November 2026.
The mini-tournament will take place from 28 November to 5 December 2026. Ellis has kept the bulk of the team that recently did national duty where they defeated Madagascar in back-to-back Olympic Games qualifiers in Bloemfontein, with the notable return of Denmark-based midfielder Sibulele Holweni, who is receiving her first call-up since moving to Europe last month.
“There were other players that we were looking at but due to exams, injuries and lack of valid passports, we had to omit them. But we are happy with the selections we have made as they [give] us a balanced squad that we believe will get the required outcomes in Morocco,” said Ellis.
But Banyana Banyana will be without captain Refiloe Jane in the first match as she will be serving a one-match suspension after picking up two yellow cards in the WAFCON play-off clash against Nigeria in August.
The World Cup play-off preliminary tournament will be played at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat.
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South Africa kick off their campaign against Chinese Taipei on Saturday, 28 November at 16h00 SAST. The team will be back in action on Tuesday, 1 December against Ecuador at 21h00 SAST, while the last match in the mini competition will be against Uzbekistan on Saturday, 5 December at 19h00 SAST.
Ghana and Papua New Guinea are also taking part in the event. Only the top two nations from the play-off tournament will advance to the final round scheduled to be played in February 2027.
“This is not the route we wanted to go, but we are here now.”
Sasol Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis
“We are all aware that we have to get one of the top two spots, which makes the first match the most important because it sets the tone for the rest of the competition.
“With a positive result we will give ourselves the required momentum as well [as] a huge boost because the games are going to come thick and fast. We know that in these tournaments there’s not a lot of time in between, hence I emphasise that the opening match will be [very] crucial. We get that right and we stand a good chance of progressing,” added Ellis.
In the final phase, six teams will contest three spots in single knockout fixtures. These will be the two teams from the Play-offs, as well as an additional four: one each from UEFA and CONMEBOL, and two from CONCACAF.
The three winners in this phase will secure their 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup tickets to Brazil.
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Banyana Banyana assembled for camp on Wednesday, 18 November 2026, and depart for Morocco on Thursday.
Banyana Banyana Squad for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-offs
Goalkeepers
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)
Katlego Moletsane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Defenders
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Antonia Maponya (The University of the Western Cape FC)
Lonathemba Mhlongo (The University of the Western Cape FC)
Khutso Pila (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Fikile Magama (The University of the Western Cape FC)
Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Midfielders
Bongeka Gamede (FC Nordsjaelland, Denmark)
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City FC, Scotland)
Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy Queens FC)
Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico)
Noxolo Cesane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Sibulele Holweni (FC Nordsjaelland, Denmark)
Nonhlanhla Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Forwards
Thembi Kgatlana (Tigres UANL, Mexico)
Wendy Shongwe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado (JVW FC)
Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Hildah Magaia (Al-Ittihad WFC, Saudi Arabia)
Ronnel Donnelly (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
The 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-offs at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco
Sat 28 November, 16h00: South Africa vs. Chinese Taipei
Tue 1 December, 21h00: South Africa vs. Ecuador
Sat 5 December, 19h00: South Africa vs. Uzbekistan
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Sasol Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis named her 23-player squad for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-offs in Morocco, recalling midfielder Sibulele Holweni for a campaign against Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan, at the SABC Sport Studios in Auckland Park, Johannesburg on Tuesday, 10 November 2026. Photo: SAFA
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