JOHANNESBURG — The countdown has begun. With South Africa’s Banyana Banyana preparing for their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) title defence, all eyes are on head coach Dr. Desiree Ellis as she prepares to reveal her final 26-player squad on Friday, 17 July 2026.
The announcement will determine the group of players tasked with carrying South Africa’s hopes at the continental showpiece in Morocco, scheduled to take place from 26 July to 16 August 2026.
Banyana Banyana have been hard at work in Johannesburg, where a demanding training camp began on 12 July. Ellis and her technical team have spent the week closely assessing a 31-player preliminary squad, searching for the perfect balance of experience, versatility, and youthful energy.
Reducing that group to just 26 players has proven to be one of the most challenging selection decisions of Ellis’s coaching career.
The Toughest Call: Choosing the Final 26
Since arriving at the University of Johannesburg Sports Grounds, competition within the squad has been fierce. The camp has brought together established stars who have delivered historic victories for the national team and ambitious young players eager to earn their place on the plane to Morocco.
Ellis acknowledged the difficulty of the process, highlighting the remarkable depth available within the current Banyana Banyana setup.
“Selecting the final 26 is even more difficult,” Ellis admitted. “As a coach, those are the decisions you have to make. We have to ensure we have the right balance of youth and experience in every position because this tournament requires players who can adapt.”
Adaptability has been a major factor in Ellis’s selection approach. With tournament football often bringing unexpected challenges — from injuries and suspensions to demanding match schedules — players capable of performing in multiple roles become invaluable assets.
Ellis pointed to captain Refiloe Jane as the perfect example of versatility, with the experienced midfielder having filled almost every position on the pitch for the national team throughout her career, apart from goalkeeper.
A Strong Core and Exciting Returns
While the final squad will only be confirmed on Friday, Banyana Banyana’s trusted core is expected to remain central to the team’s ambitions.
Among the key figures expected to lead the charge are star striker Thembi Kgatlana of Tigres UANL, creative midfielder Linda Motlhalo of Glasgow City, reliable goalkeeper Andile Dlamini of Mamelodi Sundowns, and experienced defender Bambanani Mbane of Mamelodi Sundowns.
Adding further intrigue to the selection battle has been the return of several familiar faces. Players such as Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, Ronnel Donnelly, and Cimone Sauls have used the training camp to make strong cases for inclusion, bringing additional experience and competition to an already talented squad.
Their performances have only increased the pressure on Ellis and her technical team as they make the final decisions.
More Than a Trophy: The Race for Brazil 2027
For Banyana Banyana, WAFCON 2026 represents much more than a chance to defend their African crown. The tournament also serves as a crucial pathway towards qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
The four highest-ranked teams at WAFCON will earn automatic qualification for the global tournament, making every match in Morocco a battle of enormous importance.
After reaching the Round of 16 at the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand, South Africa are determined to continue their rise on the international stage.
Captain Refiloe Jane underlined the importance of the tournament during the team’s media open day:
“Above it all, what’s at stake is a World Cup qualifying tournament, so the main objective is to qualify for the World Cup and then take it from there. When we qualified for the round of 16 in 2023, we saw the endless possibilities. Once you reach the knockout stages, anything is possible.”
Group B: The Challenge Begins in Casablanca
South Africa have been drawn into a competitive Group B, with all their group-stage matches set to take place at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca.
Banyana Banyana’s WAFCON 2026 Group Stage Fixtures:
- Monday, 27 July 2026: South Africa vs Tanzania
- Friday, 31 July 2026: South Africa vs Ivory Coast
- Tuesday, 4 August 2026: South Africa vs Burkina Faso
The squad is scheduled to leave South Africa on Saturday, 18 July 2026, allowing the team valuable time to adapt to Moroccan conditions and complete their final preparations before beginning their title defence.
With history waiting in Morocco, Dr. Desiree Ellis now faces one of her biggest decisions yet — selecting the 26 players who will carry Banyana Banyana’s hopes of African glory and a return to the world stage.
