22 January 2019– Captain of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Janine van Wyk, midfielder Busisiwe Ndimeni and defender Karabo Dhlamini, have been ruled out of the Albertina Sisulu Centenary Challenge against Sweden due to injuries.

Van Wyk is suffering from a groin strain, Ndimeni is nursing a calf muscle injury while Dlamini has a foot injury.

Ndimeni also missed the Winnie Mandela International Challenge against Netherlands on Saturday, 19 January, the same match where Dhlamini made her debut when she came on for Mamello Makhabane, while Van Wyk was withdrawn in the second half and replaced by Noko Matlou.

Van Wyk hasn’t trained with the squad since her substitution.

Refiloe Jane will captain the side in Van Wyk’s absence.

The match takes place at the Cape Town Stadium tonight (Tuesday, 22 January 2019) at 19h00.

Head coach Desiree Ellis has made four changes to the team that lost 1-2 to Netherlands.

“It is sad to lose players to injury but on the other hand we want to manage those injuries so we don’t aggravate them because these are preparations matches. This is also an opportunity for us to gauge what kind of bench we have as we move forward with our preparations leading to the World Cup,” said Ellis.

“We have also said we will give players an opportunity to play because after the Cyprus Women’s Cup next month, there will be no time for experimenting – we will focus on the core team that will represent us in France. We always say players select themselves, and we want to see that competition as we are working to finalise the final squad to the World Cup.”

Andile Dlamini will be in goals ahead of Kaylin Swart – Dlamini last played in September at the 2018 COSAFA Women’s Championship in Port Elizabeth.

Matlou will again take the place of Van Wyk and will play alongside Bambanani Mbane in central defence.

Lebohang Ramalepe and Nothando Vilakazi will play at right back and left back respectively.

Leandra Smeda and Jermaine Seoposenwe start on the bench – this means a positional change for Jane who returns to central midfield alongside Mamello Makhabane.

Linda Motlhalo retains her place on the wing, while Koketso Tlailane gets her first ever start for Banyana Banyana.

Rhoda Mulaudzi replaces Seoposenwe and will play upfront with Thembi Kgatlana, who scored South Africa’s solitary goal in the weekend fixture.

This is how they will line up:

Andile Dlamini(GK), Lebohang Ramalepe, Nothando Vilakazi, Bambanani Mbane, Noko Matlou, Linda Motlhalo,Koketso Tlailane, Refiloe Jane (c), Mamello Makhabane, Thembi Kgatlana, Rhoda Mulaudzi

Subs:

Kaylin Swart (GK)Victoria Muroa (GK), Amanda Mthandi, Tiisetso Makhubela, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Kholosa Biyana, Molatelo Sebata, Leandra Smeda, Jermaine Seoposenwe,Hilda Magaia, Kelso Peskin

Not in Match Day squad:

Jessica Williams (GK), Janine van Wyk, Busisiwe Ndimeni, Karabo Dhlamini

Coach: Desiree Ellis