Ellis Cuts 5 Ahead Of Banyana Squad Announcement

While the foreign-based players have started arriving in camp, Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has released five players from camp as the team prepares for next month’s CAF African Women’s Cup of Nations.

Ellis will announce her final squad on Monday, but in the meantime she has begun to trim down the numbers.

SAFA announced on Friday evening that the coach had opted to release Rhoda Mulaudzi, Reitumetse Chabana, Cimone Sauls, Lelona Daweti and Lonathemba Mhlongo (Injured), as she cut the squad down from 33 to 26 players.

Foreign-based Thembi Kgatlana, Refiloe Jane, Nomvula Kgoale, Noko Matlou, Kholosa Biyana, Jermaine Seoposenwe and Lebohang Ramalepe have arrived at camp, while the squad is now only missing two players – Linda Motlhalo (Djurgardens,Sweden) and Hildah Magaia (Sejong Sportstoto, South Korea) who are still involved in league action.

The AWCON will take place in Rabat, Morocco from 2 July until the 23rd.

Meanwhile, in the latest FIFA rankings, Banyana are down to 58th in the world, but remain third in Africa behind 39th-placed Nigeria and 54th-placed Cameroon.

Click below to read the FREE digital version of the iDiski Times newspaper, with interviews with Daniel Akpeyi, Ria Ledwaba chatting about her SAFA Presidential campaign, Desiree Ellis on Banyana Banyana ahead of the AWCON, plus features on CAF Licenses and Shawn Bishop’s trip to Portugal and the latest transfer rumours!