Banyana Banyana star forward Hildah Magaia has revealed what would be required for the Desiree Ellis-led side to win the continental title at the upcoming 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations [WAFCON] in Morocco.
Ellis announced her final 26-member squad on Friday afternoon at Sasol Place in Sandton, trimming it down from the initial 31-player preliminary squad. The tournament is scheduled to run from 26 July to 16 August 2026.
The five players who missed out on the final selection are Bonolo Mokoma, Cimone Sauls, Sinegugu Zondi, Shakira O’Malley, and Tiisetso Makhubela.
Meanwhile, the 17 players selected were with the squad during the 2024 WAFCON edition, while nine additions have been brought in to strengthen the side. This includes the return of seasoned stars and emerging talents such as Katlego Moletsane, Isabella Ludwig, Asanda Hadebe, Antonia Maponya, Zoe October, Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, Nthabiseng Majiya, and Thembi Kgatlana.
In addition, six players will be making their tournament debuts in Morocco: Moletsane, Hadebe, Maponya, Ludwig, Sphinx Phila and October, who is just 18 years old, heads to North Africa as the youngest member of the squad.
Banyana are pitted in Group B alongside Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast, and Tanzania.
‘IT WILL TAKE TEAMWORK’ – HILDAH MAGAIA
Speaking to journalists after the squad announcement, ‘Breadwinner’, as she’s affectionately known, emphasised that unity and tactical discipline will be the deciding factors if South Africa are to replicate their historic 2022 success.
“Well, I believe it will take teamwork, which is what really helped us in 2022 [when Banyana won the WAFCON title for the first time],” Magaia said.
“It will also take hard work, dedication, and the ability to follow the coach’s instructions each and every day.”
HILDAH MAGAIA ON ADAPTING TO MOROCCAN CONDITIONS
Banyana are no strangers to Morocco, having lifted their maiden WAFCON title on the very same soil. While Magaia acknowledges that the weather transition from the South African winter to the North African heat will pose a challenge, she remains confident in the team’s adaptability.
“I think we are now comfortable playing in Morocco, even though we might face some challenges like the weather, because it’s now cold in South Africa, and when we get there, it might be hot. But with anything else, I think we are good,” she added.
BANYANA BANYANA WAFCON FINAL SQUAD
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