Banyana Announce Preliminary World Cup Squad

Banyana Banyana head Desireee Ellis has named her 36-member preliminary squad for the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup.

The 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations champions qualified for their second World Cup after 2019.

South Africa have been drawn in Group G alongside Sweden, Italy and Argentina and will open their tournament against Sweden on 23 July.

On Friday, the South African Football Associations also confirmed that they have organised a friendly match against Costa Rica, which will take place on 15 July in New Zealand as part of Banyana’s preparation camp.

Back in 2019, Banyana lost all three group stage games (1-4 vs Spain, 0-1 vs China and 0-4 vs Germany) and they will hope to do better at this year’s tournament in Australia and New Zealand.

“It’s most probably one of the most difficult selections I’ve ever had to make,” Ellis told SAFA.

“As a coach you always say players must raise their hand and make it difficult. And it has been very difficult (selecting the preliminary squad). Congratulations to the players that have made the preliminary squad.

“We are always saying players must raise their hands, and many of them have raised the hands. But this is the group of players that we think we can select from, and they have raised their hands.

“We are going to do a final selection as well as announce the final 23 plus three. That is even  going to be more difficult, but this is the group of players that we think will do the job for us.”

The team will go into camp in Johannesburg from 12 June, where all players have a chance to impress the three-time CAF Women’s Coach of the Year before the final list will be announced later this month.

However, former captain and all-time record appearance holder Janine Van Wyk is not part of the squad due to injury.

“I have sustained an injury that I personally feel would impact my chances of performing at the highest level that  is required to make the World Cup squad,” she told SAFA.

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“I have to turn down the call-up with a heavy heart, but also knowing that I am doing what is best for the team.”

Meanwhile, Thembi Kgatlana has made the selection after recently returning from her long injury layoff.

Below is Ellis’ preliminary Banyana squad: