Ellis names squad to face Sweden, rewards in-form players

3 January 2018 – Interim head coach of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Desiree Ellis, has named a squad of 26 players to face Sweden in two matches.

Ellis has called up the bulk of the team that played at the 2017 COSAFA Women’s Championship held in Zimbabwe in September last year, and mixed it up with several overseas-based players who haven’t been in the squad for a while.

These include the USA-based quartet of Kaylin Swart, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Amogelang Motau and Kelso Peskin.

The former Banyana Banyana captain has also rewarded some of the players that did well at the 2017 Sasol League National Championship that was staged in Nelspruit early in December – like Yonelo Keto (Thunderbirds), Kgaelebane Mohlakoana and Melinda Kgadiete (both Bloemfontein Celtic), Neliswa Luthuli and Sduduzo Dlamini (both Sunflower FC)

Ellis has also recalled midfielder Amanda Dlamini after a long absence from the national team.

Banyana Banyana will assemble for camp on Sunday, 14 January.

The first clash between South Africa and Sweden is a practice match, which will take place on Thursday, 18 January 2018, and will take place behind closed doors at a venue still to be announced.

The second encounter is an international friendly, and this will take place at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday, 21 January 2018.

Kickoff is at 14h00.

This will be the third time the two nations meet.

The first clash took place in 2012 at the London Olympic Games – Sweden won the match 4-1.

Their last meeting was also at the Olympic Games – in 2016 in Brazil, where South Africa lost 1-0.

Sweden is currently ranked 10^th in the world and 5^th in Europe, while South Africa is 54^nd and 5^th in the world and on the African continent respectively.

Banyana Banyana squad to face Sweden:

Goalkeepers: