20 February 2019 – Fresh from playing international friendly matches against the Netherlands and Sweden in Cape Town last month, Banyana Banyana take their preparations for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup a level higher when they assemble for camp today (Wednesday, 20 February 2019).

The squad will play in the Cyprus Women’s Cup, which runs from 27 February to 6 March.

South Africa finished in sixth place last year – they face Finland, the Czech Republic and Korea DPR in Group A.

The 2019 Cyprus Women’s Cup will be the 12thedition of the tournament, an invitational 12-nation women’s football tournament held annually in Cyprus.

Head coach Desiree Ellis has named a squad of 23 players – all of whom were part of the friendly matches against the Netherlands and Sweden.

The FIFA Women’s World Cup tournament will be held in France from 7 June to 7 July.

“We are back in camp to continue with preparations for the World Cup, and as we approach the start of the Cyprus Cup, this indicates we are edging closer and closer to our maiden World Cup tournament. We will be playing four top quality matches in Cyprus and at the end of the tournament we will not only know how far we are in terms of preparations but also which players will be ready for the World Cup,” said Ellis.

“Only 23 players will go to the World Cup, so right now it is a serious battle for places in the final squad. The Cyprus Cup is an opportunity for players to further raise their hands, and this does not mean that those not in the current squad don’t stand a chance – until the final squad is announced, everyone still has an opportunity to play in the World Cup, even though we can’t have too many changes.”

Banyana Banyana depart for Cyprus on Saturday, 23 February 2019, with their first match against Finland four days later (27 February).

 

GROUP A FIXTURES:

 

27 February 2019

South Africa       vs             Finland                          13h00

North Korea        vs             Czech Republic              18h00

 

1 March 2019

Finland                  vs             Czech Republic            13h00

South Africa        vs             North Korea                  18h00

 

4 March 2019

Czech Republic vs             South Africa                  13h00

Finland               vs             North Korea                     18h00

 

BANYANA BANYANA SQUAD – CYPRUS WOMEN’S CUP

 

GOALKEEPERS

1. ANDILE DLAMINI Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (SA) JOHANNESBURG
2. KAYLIN SWART Awaiting International Transfer
3. VICTORIA MUROA First Touch Academy (SA) POLOKWANE
 DEFENDERS:
4. LEBOGANG RAMAMALEPE Ma-Indies FC POLOKWANE
5. NOTHANDO VILAKAZI Palace Super Falcons JOHANNESBURG
6. JANINE VAN WYK (C) Awaiting International transfer
7. NOKO MATLOU Ma-Indies FC POLOKWANE
8. BAMBANANI MBANE Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies BLOEMFONTEIN
9. TIISETSO MAKHUBELA Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies JOHANNESBURG
10. KOKETSO TLAILANE TUT-PTA PRETORIA
11. KARABO DHLAMINI Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies JOHANNESBURG
MIDFIELDERS:
12. MAMELLO MAKHABANE JVW FC JOHANNESBURG
13. LEANDRA SMEDA Vittsjo GIK SWEDEN
14. NOMPUMELELO NYANDENI JVW FC JOHANNESBURG
15. LINDA MOTLHALO Awaiting International Transfer
16. BUSISIWE NDIMENI TUT-PTA PRETORIA
17. REFILOE JANE (VC) Canberra United AUSTRALIA
18. MOLATELO SEBATA First Touch Academy POLOKWANE
19. KHOLOSA BIYANA University of KwaZulu Natal (UKZN) DURBAN
FORWARDS
20. JERMAINE SEOPOSENWE JVW FC JOHANNESBURG
21. THEMBI KGATLANA Awaiting International Transfer
22. AMANDA MTHANDI University of Johannesburg (UJ) JOHANNESBURG
23. RHODA MULAUDZI Canberra United AUSTRALIA