South Africa have secured two international friendly matches as they prepare for the 2022 CAF Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers kicking off later this year.

They will face COSAFA rivals Zambia and Botswana on Saturday, 10 April and Tuesday, 13 April 2021 respectively.

The clashes will both take place at the Bidvest Wits Stadium in Milpark, Johannesburg and will kick off at 15h00.

To prepare for the encounters, Banyana Banyana will go into camp on Monday, 5 April – their second of the year, following the training camp they held two weeks ago.

Head Coach Desiree Ellis has called up 26 players – but she has had to exclude some overseas-based players due to COVID-19 restrictions.

“We have a program for the year that we need to stick to, to ensure that we are ready for our qualifiers once the draw comes out. The past year has been very difficult for us with no football permitted to play, but we need to look forward and ensure that we reach our goals,” said Ellis.

“We are still faced with challenges due to the pandemic but we cannot let that demoralise us. We had called up some of our playing plying their trade abroad, but they could not be released for these friendly matches due to Covid-19 restrictions. We have to soldier on and perhaps start planning around a few locally based players to stabilise the team.”

Only Thembi Kgatlana, Noko Matlou and Amanda Mthandi (all based in Spain) will be available for the clashes.

The players that could not make it for this camp are:

• Janine Van Wyk (Glasgow City, Scotland)
• Refiloe Jane (AC Milan, Italy)
• Kholosa Biyana (Sporting Gijon, Spain)
• Hildah Magaia (Moron BK, Sweden)
• Linda Motlhalo (Djurgardens, Sweden)
• Jermain Seoposenwe (SC Braga, Portugal)
• Karabo Dhlamini (University of Northwestern Ohia, USA)
• Lebohang Ramalepe and Rhoda Mulaudzi (Dinamo Minsk, Belrus)

These will the first matches of 2021 for Banyana Banyana – they last played in November 2020 in the COSAFA Women’s Championship, which they won.

BANYANA BANYANA PLAYERS SELECTED FOR APRIL CAMP:

GOALKEEPERS

Andile DLAMINI (Mamelodi Sundowns FC GAUTENG)

Kaylin SWART (JVW FC GAUTENG)

Mapaseka MPURU (University of Pretoria GAUTENG)

Jessica WILLIAMS (Spurs WFC WESTERN CAPE)

DEFENDERS

Kaylyn JORDAAN (Spurs WFC WESTERN CAPE)

Karabo MAKHURUBETSHI (Mamelodi Sundowns FC GAUTENG)

Tiisetso MAKHUBELA (Tshwane University of Technology-PTA GAUTENG)

Noko MATLOU (SD Eibar SPAIN)

Bambanani MBANE (Mamelodi Sundowns FC GAUTENG)

Ongeziwe NDLANGISA (Sunflower FC KWA ZULU NATAL)

Bongeka GAMEDE (University of Western Cape WESTERN CAPE)

Koketso TLAILANE (Tshwane University of Technology-PTA GAUTENG)

Xiluva TSHABALALA (Ma-Indies FC LIMPOPO)

MIDFIELDERS

Mamello MAKHABANE (JVW FC GAUTENG)

Robyn MOODALY (JVW FC GAUTENG)

Nomvula KGOALE (Tshwane University of Technology-PTA GAUTENG)

Oratile MOKWENA (Mamelodi Sundowns FC GAUTENG)

Noxolo CESANE (University of Western Cape WESTERN CAPE)

Gabriela SALGADO (JWV FC GAUTENG)

Nonhlanhla MTHANI (Mamelodi Sundowns FC GAUTENG)

FORWARDS

Thembi KGATLANA (SD EIBAR SPAIN)

Amanda MTHANDI (CD Badajoz SPAIN)

Sibulele HOLWENI (University of Western Cape WESTERN CAPE)

Kgaelebane MOHLAKOANA (Bloemfontein Celtic FREE STATE)

Ntomibifikile NDLOVU (Sunflower FC KWA ZULU NATAL)

Lonathemba MHLONGO (Durban Ladies FC KWA ZULU NATAL)