Desiree Ellis announces Banyana Banyana squad to take on Japan

The first friendly fixture is scheduled to kick off on Saturday, 6 June at Nagai Ballgame Field in Osaka, and the players will then return for the second meeting on Tuesday, 9 June at J-Green Sakai.

These two matches form part of the team’s preparations for the delayed Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which will take centre stage after the 2026 Men’s FIFA World Cup and the tournament will run from 25 July to 16 August.

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Banyana Banyana have been seeded in a group alongside Burkina Faso, Cote d’Ivoire and Tanzania, and the 2022 WAFCON Champions will be desperate to seal their spot in the next FIFA Women’s World Cup knowing full well that only a semi-final finish will guarantee their place in Brazil come 2027.

As for their next opponents, Japan are currently ranked 5th in the world and have finished as both winners and runners-up of the FIFA World Cup, so they will no doubt provide a stern test for Ellis’s charges ahead of another WAFCON campaign.

Full Squad: (Goalkeepers) Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Katlego Moletsane. (Defenders) Sinegugu Zondi, Fikile Magama, Bambanani Mbane, Antonia Maponya, Asanda Hadebe, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Bongeka Gamede. (Midfielders) Linda Motlhalo, Khutso Pila, Refiloe Jane, Noxolo Cesane, Isabella Ludwig, Nonhlanhla Mthandi.

(Forwards) Wendy Shongwe, Nthabiseng Majiya, Thorisho Mphelo, Bonolo Mokoma, Thembi Kgatlana, Gabriela Salgado.