The South African Senior Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana) is continuing preparations for the third round 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers against Kenya.

The South African Senior Women’s National Team (Banyana Banyana) is continuing preparations for the third round 2016 Rio Olympic qualifiers against Kenya.

The South Africans got their road to Rio campaign earlier this year, overpowering Gabon in the second round.

The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana are set to take on the Harambe Starlets of Kenya in the first leg scheduled for Saturday, 18 July 2015 at Dobsonville Stadium, Soweto. Kick-off is at 15h00.

The return leg will be played at the Machakos Stadium in Kenya in the first week of August.

Vera Pauw’s charges assembled on Sunday in Johannesburg and immediately got down to business.

A few changes have been made to the squad that beat Gabon 5-0. Overseas-based players Jermaine Seoposenwe and Roxanne Barker are not are not part of the squad for this encounter.

Young goalkeeper, Mapaseka Mpuru from the University of Pretoria’s High Performance Centre, midfielder Stephanie Malherbe and striker Bongiwe Thusi from Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, all receive their first call-up to the senior national team.

Banyana Banyana squad to face Kenya:

Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Johannesburg), Mapaseka Mpuru (High Performance Centre, Pretoria), Gopolang Mputle (Palace Super Falcons, Johannesburg)

Defenders: Lebogang Ramalepe (Maindis FC, Polokwane), Nothando Vilakazi (Palace Super Falcons FC, Johannesburg), Janine Van Wyk (JVW FC , Johannesburg), Noko Matlou (Maindis FC, Polokwane), Lerato Kgasago (Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Johannesburg), Nomathemba Ntsibande (Springs Home Sweepers, Johannesburg), Zamandosi Cele (Durban Ladies FC, Pietermaritzburg)

Midfielders: Alochia Thobokela (Mamelodi Sundowns, Johannesburg), Amanda Dlamini (University of Johannesburg, Johannesburg), Silindile Ngubane (Durban Ladies FC, Pietermaritzburg), Refiloe Jane (VUT Ladies, Vaal), Leandra Smeda (UWC Ladies, Cape Town), Nompumelelo Nyandeni (JVW FC, Johannesburg), Stephanie Malherbe (A & M Texas, USA)

Strikers: Bongiwe Thusi (Mamelodi Sundowns, Johannesburg, Sanah Mollo (Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Johannesburg), Shiwe Nogwanya (Bloemfontein Celtic, Bloemfontein), Thembi Kgatlana (UWC Ladies, Cape Town), Rhoda Mulaudzi (Mamelodi Sundowns FC, Johannesburg), Kelso Peskin (Tyler Junior, College USA).