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Banyana Banyana Finalise 26-Player Roster for WAFCON 2026 in Morocco
South Africa’s women’s national team, Banyana Banyana, has announced its 26‑player squad for the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), setting the stage for a title defence in Morocco.
The roster, unveiled on 7 July 2026, blends seasoned campaigners with a wave of emerging talent. At the heart of the group is 18‑year‑old forward Zoe October, the youngest player in the travelling party. Goalkeeping duties are shared by Kaylin Swart, Andile Dlamini and Kebotseng Moletsane, while the defence is anchored by five stalwarts from Mamelodi Sundowns FC—Lebohang Ramalepe, Karabo Dhlamini, Asanda Hadebe, Bambanani Mbane and Khutso Pila—and three from UWC FC—Lonathemba Mhlongo, Antonia Maponya and Fikile Magama.
Captain Refiloe Jane leads a midfield that includes Noxolo Cesane, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Isabella Ludwig, Gabriela Moodaly‑Salgado, Robyn Moodaly‑Salgado, Sibulele Holweni, Bongeka Gamede, Linda Motlhalo and Amogelang Motau. Up front, the squad features proven goal‑scorers Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia, Nthabiseng Majiya and Ronnel Donnelly, alongside the teenage sensation October.
Banyana Banyana entered the tournament as the defending champions, having lifted the WAFCON trophy in 2022. Their immediate objective is a semi‑final berth, which would also secure a berth in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The team was drawn into Group B, where they will face Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. The first match will take place in Casablanca on 27 July 2026 against Tanzania.
The decision to host the competition in Morocco follows a CAF announcement that the country will host the event for a third consecutive time. The 16‑team tournament will be staged in Casablanca, Fez and Rabat, and Morocco’s automatic qualification as host, coupled with the expansion from 12 to 16 teams, means that the top four teams will also qualify for the World Cup.
Coach Desiree Ellis, who has led Banyana Banyana since 2016, guided the squad to a runner‑up finish at the 2018 WAFCON and to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In 2022 she steered the team to its first WAFCON title, and in 2023 the side reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time.
Ellis’s squad announcement reflects a strategy of balancing experience with youth. The inclusion of Zoe October, a product of UWC FC, signals a focus on developing talent for future international competitions. The list also underscores a clear emphasis on defensive solidity, with five defenders from the domestic top club Mamelodi Sundowns and a robust midfield core.
Preparation will include a training camp in Johannesburg before the tournament. The group‑stage schedule will see Banyana Banyana play each of the other three teams in Group B once. A win against Tanzania would give the team a strong start and position them well for subsequent matches against Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
The 2026 WAFCON will also serve as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The top four teams will secure direct qualification, while the fifth‑placed team will enter an inter‑confederation play‑off. As the defending champions, Banyana Banyana are under pressure to perform, but the squad’s blend of seasoned internationals and promising newcomers could provide the depth needed to navigate the tournament.
In summary, Banyana Banyana’s 26‑player roster is set to represent South Africa at the WAFCON in Morocco. The team will aim to defend its title, secure a World Cup spot, and showcase the growth of women’s football in the country. The first match against Tanzania on 27 July 2026 will set the tone for the campaign.
The roster, unveiled on 7 July 2026, blends seasoned campaigners with a wave of emerging talent. At the heart of the group is 18‑year‑old forward Zoe October, the youngest player in the travelling party. Goalkeeping duties are shared by Kaylin Swart, Andile Dlamini and Kebotseng Moletsane, while the defence is anchored by five stalwarts from Mamelodi Sundowns FC—Lebohang Ramalepe, Karabo Dhlamini, Asanda Hadebe, Bambanani Mbane and Khutso Pila—and three from UWC FC—Lonathemba Mhlongo, Antonia Maponya and Fikile Magama.
Captain Refiloe Jane leads a midfield that includes Noxolo Cesane, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Isabella Ludwig, Gabriela Moodaly‑Salgado, Robyn Moodaly‑Salgado, Sibulele Holweni, Bongeka Gamede, Linda Motlhalo and Amogelang Motau. Up front, the squad features proven goal‑scorers Thembi Kgatlana, Hildah Magaia, Nthabiseng Majiya and Ronnel Donnelly, alongside the teenage sensation October.
Banyana Banyana entered the tournament as the defending champions, having lifted the WAFCON trophy in 2022. Their immediate objective is a semi‑final berth, which would also secure a berth in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. The team was drawn into Group B, where they will face Tanzania, Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso. The first match will take place in Casablanca on 27 July 2026 against Tanzania.
The decision to host the competition in Morocco follows a CAF announcement that the country will host the event for a third consecutive time. The 16‑team tournament will be staged in Casablanca, Fez and Rabat, and Morocco’s automatic qualification as host, coupled with the expansion from 12 to 16 teams, means that the top four teams will also qualify for the World Cup.
Coach Desiree Ellis, who has led Banyana Banyana since 2016, guided the squad to a runner‑up finish at the 2018 WAFCON and to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup. In 2022 she steered the team to its first WAFCON title, and in 2023 the side reached the knockout stage of the World Cup for the first time.
Ellis’s squad announcement reflects a strategy of balancing experience with youth. The inclusion of Zoe October, a product of UWC FC, signals a focus on developing talent for future international competitions. The list also underscores a clear emphasis on defensive solidity, with five defenders from the domestic top club Mamelodi Sundowns and a robust midfield core.
Preparation will include a training camp in Johannesburg before the tournament. The group‑stage schedule will see Banyana Banyana play each of the other three teams in Group B once. A win against Tanzania would give the team a strong start and position them well for subsequent matches against Ivory Coast and Burkina Faso.
The 2026 WAFCON will also serve as the African qualifiers for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup. The top four teams will secure direct qualification, while the fifth‑placed team will enter an inter‑confederation play‑off. As the defending champions, Banyana Banyana are under pressure to perform, but the squad’s blend of seasoned internationals and promising newcomers could provide the depth needed to navigate the tournament.
In summary, Banyana Banyana’s 26‑player roster is set to represent South Africa at the WAFCON in Morocco. The team will aim to defend its title, secure a World Cup spot, and showcase the growth of women’s football in the country. The first match against Tanzania on 27 July 2026 will set the tone for the campaign.
