Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has announced her final 23-member squad to represent South Africa at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup held in Australia and New Zealand from 20 July – 20 August 2023.
The champions of the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, who were sponsored by SASOL, will be one of the four African teams at the world championship. The other three are Zambia, Morocco, and Nigeria.
Ellis announced the team at a ceremony at the Sefako Makgatho Presidential Guest house in Tshwane on Friday, June 23, 2023. South African Football Association President Dr. Danny Jordaan, CEO Lydia Monyepao, Sasol Executive Vice President for Human Resources and Stakeholder Relations Charlotte Mokoena, and several other ministers and dignitaries were there.
The Banyana Banyana coach thanked her staff and players for the huge amount of work they had done in the last few days at the selection and preparation camp. Ellis said that the process hasn’t been easy, and it was hard to make the final choices about the final team and the three players who will be on standby.
“It has been a tough week,” she said. “It might have not been easy for you as players but it was also not easy for me as the coach. If I could, I would have taken every one but unfortunately I can only take 23 players.
“Thank you for the hard work that each and every one of you has put in, and this is not the end of it. It still needs to continue and it will get more challenging from here because the World Cup stage is a different ball game.
“I want to express my heartfelt gratitude to the whole group of 36 players (in the preliminary squad) for their enthusiasm, commitment and competitiveness during this time. I would also like to thank the staff for always giving their best.”
“We would like to congratulate all the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana players who have been chosen to represent South Africa in the 2023 Women’s World Cup. We want to thank you for your dedication and hard work throughout the selection camp. We worked hard in the past few months, and everyone has put their best foot forward to ensure that we are properly prepared for this adventure. I would want to appeal to my fellow 60 million South Africans to continue sending messages of support, since these give the players encouragement to do their best at the Women’s World Cup,” said Mokoena.
Banyana Banyana Final World Cup squad:
Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Kaylin Swart (JVW FC), Kebotseng Moletsane (Royal AM)
Defenders:
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Fikile Magama (UWC), Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Noko Matlou (SD Eibar), Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Bongeka Gamede (UWC),
Midfielders: Kholosa Biyana (UWC), Refiloe Jane (Sassoulo FC), Sibulele Holweni (UWC), Linda Mothalo (Glasgow City), Nomvula Kgoale (TS Galaxy), Robyn Moodaly (JVW FC)
Forwards:
Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC), Jermaine Seoposenwe (C.F. Monterrey), Noxolo Cesane (Unattached), Melinda Kgadiete (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Wendy Shongwe (University of Pretoria), Hildah Magaia (Sejong Sportsoso), Thembi Kgatlana (Racing Louisville)
Standby Players: Nthabiseng Majiya (Richmond Ladies), Amogelang Motau (UWC), Regirl Ngobeni (UWC)
