Desiree Ellis, head coach of Banyana Banyana, has revealed the squad that will face Burkina Faso in the second round of the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) qualifications.
The battlegrounds are established, with the first leg taking place in Burkina Faso on 30 November (17:00 SA time), followed by the second leg on 4 December at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Pretoria.
Triumph for Ellis’s powerful team would not only assure their place in the competition the following year, but would also position them to defend the title they won in Morocco.
The North African country, which is due to host the 2019 tournament again, would be an ideal venue for Banyana to demonstrate their abilities and maybe win another title.
Banyana hopes to build on their historic last-sixteen result at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand this year.
The team is currently making its way through the qualification rounds for the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris.
Ellis expects some key players to return after missing the Olympic qualifiers against the Democratic Republic of the Congo for a variety of reasons, including tests and injury.
In prior games, Ellis relied on a young backline and inserted budding midfielders who excelled in difficult conditions.
“We always spoken about having a core group of players and nothing was more evident in this last game we played.
“We really had to dig deep with all the players that were not available. We’ve been playing without Bambanani Mbane and Refiloe Jane since during the World Cup.
“We believe in each and every player that we select. I am really confident and happy with the squad that we’ve selected, and I believe and trust in each one of them.”
The return of former captain Janine van Wyk, who departed the previous camp under acrimonious circumstances, is a major discussion point in Ellis’ squad.
Van Wyk had announced his retirement and did not play in the games against Congo. She is on the edge of becoming Africa’s most-capped player, and she only needs two more games to do it.
In contrast, current Banyana captain Jane, who just returned to training with her Italian club, has been left out of the squad. She is still recovering from a terrible injury suffered during the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2023.
