Banyana start preparations for AWCON

The South African women’s national team has assembled for a preliminary training camp in Johannesburg to begin preparations for the coming Africa Women’s Cup of Nations tournament scheduled to take place in Morocco from 2-23 July 2022.

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis announced a strong 33- woman preliminary squad that will undergo a series of training sessions before it is cut down to the final squad that will depart for Morocco on 21 June 2022.

Ellis has called up Rhoda Mulaudzi to join the camp as she replaces the injured Gabriela Salgado who has been ruled out of action for eight weeks.

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“It is a massive loss because she has been a key player for us. But this also gives others in the squad an opportunity to step up. We wish Gabby a speedy recovery,” Ellis said.

In the last tournament that was held in Ghana in 2018, Banyana lost in the final against Nigeria who won 4-3 on penalties.

Banyana have never tasted a win in the final of AWCON despite reaching it final five times in 1995, 2000, 2008, 2012, and 2018.

Ellis’ team is also eyeing a 2023 Women’s FIFA World Cup ticket and the first crown of the tournament.

“The first priority is to qualify for the World Cup. To do that we have to make the semifinals. Once we get to the semifinal we’ll go out and see if we can win. But now the tournament is completely different. There are 12 teams [up from the previous eight], which means we have to play a quarterfinal. That could be a banana skin for all of us, because you’re not sure who you’re going to get,” said Ellis as per Daily Maverick.

“We have to be in superb physical condition to have a chance of winning it. We have to ensure we’re defensively strong, which we generally are. We have to make sure we strengthen our attacking side of things, making sure to train a lot under pressure in front of goal, because that will help. Our all-round positional play needs to improve, because we know our strengths and we know our weaknesses… We also have to be consistent in our performances.”

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FULL SQUAD

GOALKEEPERS:

1. Andile Dlamini – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
2. Kaylin – JVW
3. Regirl Ngobeni – UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
4. Kebotseng Moletsane – BLOEMFONTEIN CELTIC

DEFENDERS:

5. Karabo Dhlamini – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
6. Cimone Sauls – JVW FC
7. Lebohang Ramalepe – DINAMO MINSK
8. Koketso Tlailane – TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY-PTA
9. Janine Van Wyk – JVW FC
10. Tiisetso Makhubela – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
11. Bambanani Mbane – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
12. Bongeka Gamede – UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE
13. Noko Matlou – SD EIBAR
14. Lonathemba Mhlongo – UNIVERSITY OF THE WESTERN CAPE

MIDFIELDERS:

15. Refiloe Jane – AC MILAN
16. Mamello Makhabane – JVW FC
17. Nomvula Kgoale – MFPARQUESDESOL CD
18. Rhoda Mulaudzi – JVW FC
19. Linda Motlhalo – DJUGARDEN
20. Thalea Smidt – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
21. Kholosa Biyana – SPORTING GIJON SPAIN
22. Amogelang Motau – UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE
23. Robyn Moodaly – JVW FC
24. Sibulele Holweni – UNIVERSITY FC WESTERN CAPE
25. Thubelihle Shamase – UNIVERSITY OF JOHANNESBURG

FORWARDS:

26. Jermaine Seoposenwe – SC BRAGA
27. Melinda Kgadiethe – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
28. Lelona Daweti – MAMELODI SUNDOWNS FC
29. Noxolo Cesane – UNIVERSITY OF WESTERN CAPE
30. Nthabiseng Majiya – RICHMOND LADIES
31. Thembi Kgatlana – ATHLETICO MADRID
32. Hildah Magaia – SEJONG SPORTSTOTO
33. Reitumetse Chabana – TSHWANE UNIVERSITY OF TECHNOLOGY