Banyana Banyana’s chances of retaining their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations [WAFCON] title may have greatly diminished after the latest squad was announced.
On Sunday, Banyana Banyana coach Dr. Desiree Ellis trimmed her preliminary squad from 46 to 28 ahead of the tournament in Morocco next month.
The players will go into camp in Johannesburg on 19 June, but without star player Thembi Kgatlana.
Nicknamed “Pikinini,” Kgatlana has more often than not delivered for the team, scoring 31 goals in 82 matches for Banyana Banyana.
She will not be a part of the team in Morocco due to unexplained “personal reasons.”
“Thembi Kgatlana will not be part of the camp in Johannesburg and will also not be selected for the WAFCON-bound squad due to personal reasons,” confirmed the South African Football Association (SAFA).
African champions are in Group C and will get their WAFCON campaign underway against Ghana on Monday, 7 July 2025, at the Honneur Stadium in Oujda. Oujda will be South Africa’s base during the group stage.
Banyana Banyana will then face off against Tanzania on Friday, 11 July, and Mali on Monday, 14 July 2025, before the knockout stage.
The WAFCON tournament will be held in Morocco from 5-26 July 2025.
BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD
GOALKEEPERS
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kaylin Swart, Casey Gordon (both JVW FC), Dineo Magagula (TS Galaxy)
DEFENDERS
Karabo Dhlamini, Lebogang Ramalepe, Bambanani Mbane, Tiisetso Makhubela (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Fikile Magama, Lonathemba Mhlongo (both University of Western Cape), Shakira O’Malley (University of Western Ohio, USA), Gabriela Salgado (University of Johannesburg), Bongeka Gamede (Nordsjælland, Denmark)
MIDFIELDERS
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland), Sibulele Holweni (University of Western Cape), Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Noxolo Cesane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy), Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico), Regina Mogolola (both JVW FC), Michelle Sampson (University of Fort Hare), Adrielle Mibe (University of Johannesburg), Kgaelebane Mohlakoana (TP Mazembe, DR Congo)
STRIKERS
Hildah Magaia (Club Tijuana, Mexico), Jermaine Seoposenwe (Monterrey, Mexico), Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns), Bonolo Mokoma (JVW FC), Ronnel Donnelly (University of Western Cape)
