Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has named a locally-dominant preliminary squad to face Serbia in an international friendly next month.
There are only six players in the 32-member squad, who are based overseas, with the number still to be trimmed down to 23 later.
The match is part of preparations for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup to be co-hosted by Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August 2023.
TS Galaxy Queens Captain Nomvula Kgoale returns to the national team, as is Wendy Shongwe from newly promoted University of Pretoria (Tuks) and current Hollywoodbets top goal scorer Fiona Ndlovu (nine goals).
The coach has also called up one player from the Sasol League in Asanda Hadebe of Sunflower FC. Ellis told SAFA.net that she appreciates work done by coaches in the different leagues and with the World Cup approaching she wants to push players to a different level.
“We thank the coaches in the Hollywoodbets Super League as well as the SASOL Women’s League. We thank them for the work that they’ve put in so far and we really appreciate every single player for this local camp. We want to make sure that we push them to the next level,” she said.
“We all know this is a very big year for women’s football and when the final 23-player traveling party to the FIFA Women’s World Cup is announced, we want to make sure that when we meet up with the other players that we’ve pushed them to a different level.
“This is all part of our preparation towards the World Cup. And as we said, we start now with what we plan to do at the World Cup and so far the players have responded fantastically in the last camp (in Turkey), and we hope we can take it to the next level in the next camp”
The team will leave for Serbia, who are in 36th place in the FIFA ranking, on 6 April with the game set for 10 April 2023.
Banyana Banyana Preliminary Squad
GOALKEEPERS
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Kaylin Swart (JVW FC), Regirl Ngobeni (UWC FC), Katlego Moletsane (Royal AM), Dineo Magagula (TS Galaxy)
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DEFENDERS
Asanda Hadebe (Sunflower FC), Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Fikile Magama (UWC FC), Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Lonathemba Mhlongo (UWC FC), Noko Matlou (SD Eibar), Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Bongeka Gamede (UWC FC)
MIDFIELDERS
Refiloe Jane (Sassuolo FC), Sibulele Holweni (UWC FC), Thubelihle Shamase (UJ FC), Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City), Kholosa Biyana (UWC FC), Cimone Sauls (JVW FC), Nomvula Kgoale (TS Galaxy), Robyn Moodaly (JVW FC), Amogelang Motau (UWC FC)
FORWARDS
Noxolo Cesane (Tigres Femenil), Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC), Sphumelele Shamase (UJ FC), Jermaine Seoposenwe (FC Juarez), Melinda Kgadiete (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Nthabiseng Majiya (Richmond Ladies), Hildah Magaia (Sejong Sportstoto), Lelona Daweti (Mamelodi Sundowns FC), Ntombifikile Ndlovu (UWC FC), Wendy Shongwe (TUKS FC)
