Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has placed a strong emphasis on squad management at the upcoming Wafcon in Morocco later this month, saying they will do their best to control how they usher new players into the team.
Ellis put her head on the block and named her final 26-member squad to represent the nation at Wafcon. While most of the senior players are returning for yet another major tournament, there are also several relatively new faces.
The 63-year-old’s choices were understandable. Banyana will return to the event not only eager to make up for last year’s disappointing fourth-place finish, but also needing to secure a convincing top-four finish to qualify for the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.
“We have a couple of players who are under the age of 23,” Ellis said after her squad announcement and the team’s send-off at the headquarters of their main sponsor, Sasol, in Sandton on Friday afternoon.
“Asanda (Hadebe), Kebotseng (Moletsane), Zoe (October), Isabella (Ludwig), and Antonia (Maponya) are all part of the final squad for Wafcon for the first time, though they’ve been part of the team before.
“They are new to this competition, and we know that it’s not only Wafcon, but a World Cup qualifying tournament. We know that some countries are already in Morocco preparing for it. That’s how seriously they are taking it.”
One of the team’s current talismans, Noxolo Cesane, is a prime example of a player who had to bide her time for a place in the starting lineup at a major tournament. That is why Ellis says they cannot make any rushed decisions.
“We don’t want to break the spirit of a young player,” Ellis said. “I remember when Nox was starting to play, she had to keep going. And then we brought her in at Cosafa, and from there, she seized the opportunity.”
Banyana’s senior players include Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, who is returning to the team after taking a hiatus in 2023 to focus on her mental health. Thembi Kgatlana will also form part of the squad after missing the last showpiece to focus on personal matters.
Given that the local-based players assembled for camp this week, Ellis has been pleased with their preparations. She believes that the overseas-based contingent, which includes Kgatlana, will fit in seamlessly when they join the team at their base in Casablanca.
“If you are not prepared and underestimate a team, that will be at your peril. I think this group of players has been there and they know that when teams play against Banyana, they put their best foot forward,” Ellis said.
“For any other team, it’s a final. But for us, it’s all about that first game. We are not thinking too far ahead, just about getting a positive result in the first game. We also have to manage the squad as we head toward that important quarterfinal to qualify for the World Cup.
“You then look at the semifinal and final. If you want to win the final, you have to look at the whole process. We also still have five players on standby. They’ll be ready because they trained with us.”
Banyana are set to continue their preparations either on Sunday or Monday, as they leave South African shores on Saturday ahead of facing Tanzania in their opening Group stage game next Monday.
Banyana’s 26-member final Wafcon squad:
Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, and Kebotseng Moletsane
Defenders: Lebohang Ramalepe, Fikile Magama, Karabo Dhlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Khutso Pila, Asanda Hadebe, Antonia Maponya, and Lonathemba Mhlongo
Midfield: Refiloe Jane, Bongeka Gamede, Sibulele Holweni, Linda Motlhalo, Isabella Ludwig, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Amogelang Motau, Noxolo Cesane, Robyn Moodaly-Salgado and Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado
Strikers: Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia, Nthabiseng Majiya, Ronnel Donnelly, and Zoe October
