South Africa’s national women’s football team, Banyana Banyana, is set to travel to Rabat, Morocco, with the ambitious goal of securing a spot in the 2027 FIFA World Cup in Brazil.
The preliminary Inter-Continental Play-offs are slated to take place from 28 November to 5 December 2026, hosted at the Mohammed VI Football Complex.
To advance to the final qualification phase in February 2027, South Africa must secure a position in the top two of their group.
DESIREE ELLIS SELECTS BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD
Head Coach Desiree Ellis has chosen a balanced mix of seasoned players and emerging talent for this pivotal tournament. Key figures in the lineup include Thembi Kgatlana, Refiloe Jane, Linda Motlhalo, and Hildah Magaia.
The squad features a strong representation from Mamelodi Sundowns, alongside several athletes who compete in international leagues.
Here is the complete Banyana Banyana squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers:
Goalkeepers
- Andile Dlamini – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Kaylin Swart – JVW FC
- Katlego Moletsane – Mamelodi Sundowns
Defenders
- Karabo Dhlamini – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Lebohang Ramalepe – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Antonia Maponya – University of the Western Cape
- Lonathemba Mhlongo – University of the Western Cape
- Khutso Pila – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Fikile Magama – University of the Western Cape
- Bambanani Mbane – Mamelodi Sundowns
Midfielders
- Bongeka Gamede – FC Nordsjælland (Denmark)
- Linda Motlhalo – Glasgow City (Scotland)
- Refiloe Jane – TS Galaxy Queens
- Amogelang Motau – Club Tijuana (Mexico)
- Noxolo Cesane – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Sibulele Holweni – FC Nordsjælland (Denmark)
- Nonhlanhla Mthandi – Mamelodi Sundowns
Forwards
- Thembi Kgatlana – Tigres UANL (Mexico)
- Wendy Shongwe – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado – JVW FC
- Nthabiseng Majiya – Mamelodi Sundowns
- Hildah Magaia – Al-Ittihad WFC (Saudi Arabia)
- Ronnel Donnelly – Mamelodi Sundowns
SOUTH AFRICA FACE THREE CRUCIAL FIXTURES
Banyana Banyana will kick off their qualifying campaign against Chinese Taipei on Saturday, 28 November, with the match starting at 16:00 South African time.
Following this, the team will face Ecuador on Tuesday, 1 December, at 21:00, and will conclude the preliminary phase with a match against Uzbekistan on Saturday, 5 December, at 19:00.
Joining South Africa in the preliminary tournament are Ghana and Papua New Guinea; however, Banyana Banyana will not compete against these nations.
The top two teams from this round will proceed to the final qualification stage in February 2027, where they will vie for the remaining slots at the 2027 Women’s World Cup, scheduled to be held in Brazil.
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