Banyana Banyana have received a significant boost with Thembi Kgatlana and Bongeka Gamede returning for the two back-to-back international friendlies against Japan next month.
The 2022 WAFCON champions face Japan on Saturday, 6 June at Nagai Ballgame Field, with the second scheduled for Tuesday, 9 June at J-Green Sakai, also in Osaka.
Kgatlana and Gamede missed the recent camp in Algeria, but are now ready to return to action.
Unfortunately the squad does not include Amogelang Motau, Hilda Magaia and Shakira O’Malley as they are nursing injuries, while Lebohang Ramalepe is also unavailable for selection due to writing exams.
“It is unfortunate to have those players not available but it’s also good to see the return of Thembi and Bongeka, as well as Isabella and Asanda who were with us during the COSAFA camp in February,” Ellis said.
“It’s been kind of difficult to look at and select players outside the two previous camps (COSAFA and Algeria), so I am really grateful that the league is starting with the kind of format that it has as it will give us a great chance to monitor and assess players in one place.”
The clashes against the Asian champions all form part of the preparation for the upcoming WAFCON tournament set to be staged in Morocco from 25 July – 16 August.
“Of course two big games against Japan, ranked number five in the world, they’re also the current Asian champions. We know the qualities that they have, they will really challenge us in a different way to what Algeria did,” Ellis said.
“As we prepare for the WAFCON, these are the types of challenges we want, to be able to see what we still need to work on because nothing is perfect yet.”
Banyana will face Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Tanzania in Group B at WAFCON, which also serves as a 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier.
Full Banyana Banyana Squad:
Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Katlego Moletsane, Sinegugu Zondi, Fikile Magama, Bambanani Mbane, Antonia Maponya, Asanda Hadebe, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Bongeka Gamede, Linda Motlhalo, Khutso Pila, Refiloe Jane, Noxolo Cesane, Isabella Ludwig, Nonhlanhla Mthandi.
