Banyana Banyana Head coach Desiree Ellis has announced a squad of 24 players to face Lesotho in the second round of the 2018 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers.
The first leg will be played on Wednesday, 6 June at the Setsoto Stadium in Maseru, Lesotho. Kickoff is at 15h00.
Ellis says it will be important to start on a good footing in the 1st leg away in Lesotho.
“This is the start of the Road to the World Cup in France. We have played Lesotho before and even though we beat them, this is a new game and a different occasion. Victory will get us to the 2018 AWCON in Ghana, but we are all aware that no game is as easy as it seems and we have to be on top of our game to get a positive result in the first leg. We need to start on a good footing so we can finish the business at home,” said Ellis.
Ellis added that none of the overseas-based players were not called up to give them opportunity to settle in their clubs.
“We have mixed the squad with a bit of youth and experience. We were fortunate to attend a USSA Selection trials in Cape Town recently, and also watched all the Sasol teams in Gauteng on Saturday (19 May) and also had National selection trials the next day. We also allowing the overseas based players to settle in at their clubs and this gives us an opportunity for other players to raise their hands,” added Ellis.
The return match will take place at a venue still to be confirmed on Sunday, 10 June.
Full squad:
Goalkeepers:
1. Andile Dhlamini Mamelodi Sundowns Pretoria
2. Mapaseka Mpuru TUKS Johannesburg
3. Roxanne Barker UWC Ladies Cape Town
4. Yolula Tsawe JVW FC Johannesburg
Defenders:
5. Lebogang Ramalepe Maindis FC Polokwane
6. Nothando Vilakazi Palace Super Falcons Johannesburg
7. Zanele Nhlapho Mamelodi Sundowns Pretoria
8. Bambanani Mbane Bloemfontein Celtic Bloemfontein
9. Regina Mogolola TUKS Pretoria
10. Karabo Dhlamini Mamelodi Sundowns Johannesburg
11. Thato Letsoso UJ Johannesburg
Midfielders:
12. Kgaelebane Mohlakoana Bloemfontein Celtic Bloemfontein
13. Rachel Sebati TUT-PTA Pretoria
14.Mamello Makhabane JVW FC Johannesburg
15.Refiloe Jane TUT-PTA Pretoria
16.Leandra Smeda UWC Ladies Cape Town
17.Nompumelelo Nyandeni JVW FC Johannesburg
18. Hilda Magaia TUT-PTA Johannesburg
19. Gabriela Salgado JVW FC Johannesburg
Forwards:
20.Jermaine Seoposenwe UWC Ladies Cape Town
21. Melinda Kgadiete Bloemfontein Celtic Bloemfontein
22. Chantelle Esau Mamelodi Sundowns Pretoria
23.Khanya Xesi UWC Ladies Cape Town
24.Noko Matlou Ma-Indies Polokwane
Written by: Diski Voice