Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis has announced a 24-player squad to face Madagascar in a back-to-back second-round tie in the CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday, 9 October 2026 and Tuesday, 13 October 2026.
Ellis has retained the bulk of the squad that featured at the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations WAFCON in Morocco, with Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, Asanda Hadebe, Nthabiseng Majiya, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Sibulele Holweni and Lebohang Ramalepe not called up.
Bonolo Mokoma, Cimone Sauls and Sinegugu Zondi, who were omitted from the WAFCON squad, return, while University of Pretoria’s Siyamthanda Qashani is the only newcomer.
“It was important to maintain more or less a similar team because we don’t have another FIFA Calendar window to practice for the upcoming crucial World Cup play-offs in November. We want to use these two games against Madagascar to fine-tune what we need to do when we head off to the playoffs, and this makes the two fixtures all the more important. We will use a two-pronged approach – to progress in the Olympic qualifiers but also to ready ourselves for the big challenge in November,” said Ellis.
“We have been given a lifeline and we will do everything we can to secure that ticket to Brazil, and these matches will help in that regard as they will also give us an opportunity to look at some of the other options, so we can make sure we have the right balance and mix going into the playoffs.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis
Both legs will be played in South Africa as Madagascar do not have a CAF-approved venue for their home match, and both fixtures kick off at 18h00. Banyana Banyana enter at round two after receiving a bye in the opening round.
The competition runs over five rounds, with round three, in which the remaining 16 nations meet, set for February or March 2027, round four in October 2027 and the final round in November and December 2027.
Siyamthanda Qashani Leads the Way as Hollywoodbets Super League Title Races Tighten
Noxolo Cesane Opens a Two-Goal Lead as the Festival Heads to Pretoria
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Set for Domestic Return After COSAFA Triumph
Refilwe Tholakele Double Crowns Mamelodi Sundowns COSAFA Champions
Mamelodi Sundowns Thrash Gaborone Utd for COSAFA Qualifier Final Spot
Sporty Spice Melanie Chisholm Backs Sheffield FC Women
Two African teams will qualify for the women’s football tournament at the Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games.
The Banyana Banyana vs. Madagascar CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Round Two from 9 October 2026 to 13 October 2026
9 October 2026 18h00: Banyana Banyana vs. Madagascar (Toyota Stadium)
13 October 2026 18h00: Banyana Banyana vs. Madagascar (Toyota Stadium)
Banyana Banyana Squad for the CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers Round TwoSquad List
Goalkeepers
Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Kebotseng Moletsane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Defenders
Fikile Magama (University of the Western Cape FC)
Lonathemba Mhlongo (University of the Western Cape FC)
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Antonia Maponya (University of the Western Cape FC)
Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Sinegugu Zondi (University of the Western Cape FC)
Khutso Pila (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Midfielders
Bongeka Gamede (FC Nordsjælland, Denmark)
Noxolo Cesane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado (JVW FC)
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland)
Cimone Sauls (JVW FC)
Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy Queens FC)
Zoe October (University of the Western Cape FC)
Isabella Ludwig (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico)
Forwards
Hildah Magaia (Al Ittihad WFC, Saudi Arabia)
Thembi Kgatlana (Tigres UANL, Mexico)
Ronnel Donnelly (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Siyamthanda Qashani (University of Pretoria FC)
Bonolo Mokoma (JVW FC)
Original Copy: SAFA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis has named 24 players blending WAFCON experience with returning talent for a back-to-back CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers tie against Madagascar, as South Africa chase one of two African places at Los Angeles 2028, at the Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Friday, 9 October 2026 and Tuesday, 13 October 2026. All Photos: SAFA
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
