Latest news with #LiveTheImpossible
IOL News
23-06-2025
- Sport
- IOL News
Desiree Ellis names squad for WAFCON 2025 as Banyana Banyana aim to defend title
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis named her squad on Monday to defend the Women's Africa Cup of Nations crown next month. Photo: Backpagepix Image: Backpagepix Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has named a 26-player squad for the upcoming 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will be hosted in Morocco next month. The defending champions head into the tournament with a balanced squad built on continuity, experience, and emerging local talent, as they aim to retain the continental crown they famously lifted in 2022. The absence of star striker Thembi Kgatlana has dominated headlines in the lead-up to the final squad announcement, but Ellis believes her side has enough quality to soldier on without her. 'When we won the tournament in 2022, we played without her due to injury and the players stepped up,' said Ellis. Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis announces the squad for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. #LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) June 23, 2025 Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 'We have played with Thembi a lot of times after that — against the likes of Denmark and in other friendlies—so we've proven not to be a team heavily reliant on one player.' Banyana will be the team to beat at the showpiece event, as they attempt to retain the title in the mould of champions past. However, Ellis was quick to downplay any sense of entitlement. 'As much as we're the defending champions, I've been reminding everyone that we are also just contenders like every other team at the start of the tournament, so we can't take anything for granted.' Eight players from Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, South Africa's leading women's club, have been included in the final squad. These are goalkeeper Andile Dlamini, defenders Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini and Lebohang Ramalepe, midfielders Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Tiisetso Makhubela and Nthabiseng Majiya, and attacker Andisiwe Dlamini—highlighting the club's continued influence on the national team's core. Captain Refiloe Jane, now plying her trade at TS Galaxy, will once again lead the side, supported by overseas-based stars Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland), Hildah Magaia and Amogelang Motau (both of Club Tijuana, Mexico), and Jermaine Seoposenwe (CF Monterrey, Mexico). Banyana have retained several key players from their previous WAFCON-winning squad, including Kaylin Swart and Gabriela Salgado (both of JVW FC), Bongeka Gamede (FC Nordsjælland, Denmark), and Noxolo Cesane. Ellis has also maintained faith in the university pipeline, selecting players from the University of the Western Cape — such as Sibulele Holweni, Fikile Magama, Lonathemba Mhlongo and Ronnel Donnelly — as well as Adrienne Mibe from the University of Johannesburg. The depth and versatility across all positions signal South Africa's readiness to compete at the highest level once again. With a group made up of experienced internationals, domestic stalwarts and exciting prospects, Ellis and her technical team will aim to guide Banyana through a challenging tournament with the goal of defending their title. The final phase of preparation will be wrapped up in North Africa as South Africa jet off to compete against the continent's best.
TimesLIVE
23-06-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Despite Kgatlana absence, Ellis has big names in final Banyana squad for Wafcon
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis as announced her final 26-player squad for next month's Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), with plenty of experience in it. South Africa are defending their 2022 title in the same venue, Morocco, in the the tournament that runs from July 5 to 26. The bombshell withdrawal of star attacker Thembi Kgatlana has hit Ellis's squad. However, many hugely experienced names remain, including 17 of the players who were part of the victorious squad three years ago. Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis announces the squad for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations. #LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) June 23, 2025 These include goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, defenders Lebohang Ramalepe and Bambanani Mbane, midfielders Bongeka Gamede, Sibulele Holweni, Linda Motlhalo, Refiloe Jane and Noxolo Cesane and attackers Hildah Magaia and Jermaine Seoposenwe. Banyana open their Group C campaign against Ghana at Honor Stadium in Oujda on July 7.
IOL News
04-06-2025
- General
- IOL News
Banyana Banyana close to being ready for Wafcon defence, says Gamede
Bongeka Gamede is confident that Banyana Banyana will be ready to defend their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title after a perfect Tri-Nations series. Banyana were crowned champions of the series after beating Botswana 3–2 in the opener and Zambia 2–0 in the final game. While the results confirmed them as the best team in the mini-tournament, they were not at their best and had to dig deep in both matches. They nearly squandered a 3–0 half-time lead against Botswana and had to leave it late to secure the win over Zambia at Lucas Masterpieces Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville. Banyana Banyana emerged as the winners of the #ThreeNations challenge on Tuesday, a tri-nations tournament that also featured Zambia and Botswana.#LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) June 3, 2025 As such, it took standout individual performances to get them across the line. Jermaine Seoposenwe scored a brace in the opener and the winner in the final match. Gamede also made her mark, scoring a stunning goal from a direct set-piece against the Copper Queens, underlining her versatility as a defender-cum-midfielder. Reflecting on the series, the Denmark-based footballer said team unity had played a vital role in helping them win both matches, particularly the encounter against Zambia. 'I would like to congratulate the girls on their performance. We knew their strengths and how to capitalise on them,' Gamede said, to the Sasol media department. 'I think we tried to make sure they didn't attack us as much as they would have liked. But it wasn't an easy game. 'We made mistakes here and there, but we were able to help each other as a team. Going forward, we also supported each other.' Video Player is loading. Play Video Play Unmute Current Time 0:00 / Duration -:- Loaded : 0% Stream Type LIVE Seek to live, currently behind live LIVE Remaining Time - 0:00 This is a modal window. Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window. Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps Reset restore all settings to the default values Done Close Modal Dialog End of dialog window. Advertisement Next Stay Close ✕ Ad Loading 🏆 ℙ𝕃𝔸𝕐𝔼ℝ 𝕆𝔽 𝕋ℍ𝔼 𝕄𝔸𝕋ℂℍ 🏆 Banyana Banyana defender Lebohang Ramalepe! 𝐒𝐨𝐮𝐭𝐡 𝐀𝐟𝐫𝐢𝐜𝐚 🇿🇦 2⃣➖0⃣ 🇿🇲 𝐙𝐚𝐦𝐛𝐢𝐚 🚨 LIVE 📺 SABC Sport | SABC 2 🌐 📱 — SABC Sport (@SABC_Sport) June 3, 2025 The series will prove valuable as Banyana continue their preparations for the continental showpiece, which is set to be held in Morocco from 5 to 26 July. With Botswana and Zambia also set to compete at the tournament, facing them now was a valuable learning experience for coach Desiree Ellis and her team. 'I think our chances of doing well at Wafcon are looking very good,' Gamede explained. 'We've played Malawi, Botswana and now Zambia – all of whom will be at Wafcon. 'So they've given us an idea of what the tournament will be like. From here, we'll continue preparing, and I think we'll be ready for Wafcon.'
TimesLIVE
17-05-2025
- Sport
- TimesLIVE
Refiloe Jane returns to Banyana squad for friendlies against Zambia and Botswana
By Midfielder Refiloe Jane will make her return to Banyana Banyana after she was included by coach Desiree Ellis in the squad to face neighbours Zambia and Botswana in a three-nations international series later in the month. The Sasol-sponsored South African senior women's national team will play against Botswana on May 28 and then Botswana and Zambia will face off against each other May 31. Then Banyana will wrap up the friendly series against Zambia on June 3. The matches are part of Banyana's preparations for the defense of their Women's Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) title as the countdown continues to the tournament to be hosted in Morocco between July 5 and 26. 'We are the highest ranked team in the Cosafa region, but I don't think that means anything,' Ellis. Banyana Banyana squad to face Botswana and Zambia 26 May - 3 June 2025. #LiveTheImpossible @SABC_Sport — Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) May 16, 2025 'Being Wafcon defending champions carries a bit of weight on your back with everybody wanting to play and beat you. But we also know that it's a test not just for us but for them. 'We're all going to the Wafcon. Botswana got to the quarterfinals, Zambia got to the semifinals the last time. So, the test is for us but just so much as it is for them, and I think the physicality that both of them are going to bring is something we sometimes struggle with.' Ellis said they must they must show control of matches and be good defensively. 'I think we've got to have more control and this will help us to see where we are with that. Defensively we've got to be sound and obviously at set-pieces we're going to be challenged with the area that they have. 'The speed of both teams' attack that they have, we've got to be able to then organise our defensive shape better because that is what's going to happen at Wafcon.' Key striker Thembi Kgatlana has not been selected to this camp and Ellis explained she has club commitments that would have made it difficult for her to travel from North America and still be fresh enough for the two friendlies. All matches will be played at the Lucas Moripe Stadium in Atteridgeville and kick off is at 3pm.
