Banyana Banyana coach Vera Pauw has named her squad of players that will travel to the United States for a friendly against the reigning Olympic and World Champions.
The coach has opted to retain the core of her Olympic qualifiers squad, while three of the players on the team will have to be cut before the side departs for Brazil.
Each of the sides competing in the 2016 Rio Olympic Games will only be afforded a squad of 18 players, with an additional four permitted on standby.
The final decision on the squad will become clear following a press conference on July 14, with the upcoming friendly likely to be key in determining who makes the grade.
‘To prepare for the Olympics, we have to play the best in the world and who better than the reigning world and Olympic champions,’ Pauw told Safa.net.
‘Thanks to Sasol and Safa once again that we have been able to play against top nations. This upcoming match will give us a better indication of our readiness to take on the best at the Rio Olympics in Brazil this August,’ she continued.
Banyana will depart for Chicago on Tuesday with the match set to be played on Saturday July 9 at Soldier Field.
Kick-off is at 19:00.
Banyana Banyana squad for USA friendly:
Goalkeepers
Roxanne Barker (SC Heerenveen), Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart (Menlo College)
Defenders
Lebohang Ramalepe, Nothando Vilakazi, Janine van Wyk, Noko Matlou, Lerato Kgasago, Nomathemba Ntsibande, Bambanani Mbane, Lebogang Mabatle
Midfielders
Mamello Makhabane, Amanda Dlamini, Silindile Ngubane, Refiloe Jane, Leandra Smeda, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Linda Motlhalo, Stephanie Malherbe (Texas A & M University), Robyn Moodaly (University of Northwestern Ohio)
Forwards
Sanah Mollo, Shiwe Nogwanya, Thembi Kgatlana, Chantelle Essau, Jermaine Seoposenwe (Samford University)
