Sundowns Ladies dominate Banyana final squad for Olympic qualifiers
Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has named her final squad for the third round of the 2024 Olympics qualifiers against Tanzania, with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies players leading the pack.
The South African women’s national team final squad consists of five Banyana Ba Style players followed by the University of the Western Cape [UWC] with four players.
Ellis’ charges will face Tanzania in the first leg on Friday, 23 February in Dar es Salaam. The game will start at 15:00 [SA time].
The return leg will take place on Tuesday, 27 February at the Mbombela Stadium in Mpumalanga, with kick-off set for 19:30.
Banyana had a goalkeepers’ camp that started from 9-11 February, before the start of a local preparation camp that ran from 12-17 February 2024, with SAFA providing all the support the team would need going into this third round of the qualifiers.
The Goalkeeper Training camp took place at the High Performance Centre in Pretoria. Coach Ellis, had named six goalkeepers in her preliminary squad. The six are Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Katlego Moletsane, Dineo Magagula, Victoria Muroa and Dimakatso Ntsieane.
The four-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year, Ellis, trimmed the 24 local-based squad that will travel to Tanzania where they will be joined by the overseas-based players.
Banyana head into the third round of the Olympic qualifiers having ended 2023 on a positive note after qualifying for the 2024 WAFCON set to take place in Morocco. The side will be hoping to carry that same spirit as they take on Tanzania in a two-legged Olympic qualifiers fixture.
BANYANA BANYANA FINAL SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS: Andile Dlamini [Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies], Kaylin Swart [JVW FC], Katlego Moletsane [Royal AM]
DEFENDERS: Karabo Dhlamini [Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies], Noko Matlou [SB Eibar], Fikile Magama [UWC], Asanda Hadebe [Sunflower FC], Lonathemba Mhlongo [UWC], Lebohang Ramalepe [Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies]
MIDFIELDERS: Kholosa Biyana [Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies], Linda Motlhalo [Racing Louisville], Nomvula Kgoale [TS Galaxy], Sphumelele Shamase [UJ], Amogelang Motau [UWC], Thalea Smidt [Tuks Ladies], Lesego Nkoane [TS Galaxy]
FORWARDS: Nicole Michael [TS Galaxy], Gabriela Salgado [JVW FC], Noxolo Cesane [UWC], Nthabiseng Majiya [Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies], Jermaine Seoposenwe [Monterrey], Hildah Magaia [Mazatlan FC], Thembi Kgatlana [Tigres UANL].
RELATED STORY: Retired Banyana star opens up on challenges she faced in Europe