Banyana Banyana ready to defend their crown at WAFCON

by Staff Reporter

Monday Jun 23, 2025. 15:56

South Africa has announced its squad to compete to retain their crown as continental champions at the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco from 5-26 July.

Having lost in the tournament’s final on five previous occasions (1995, 2000, 2008, 2012 and 2018), Banyana Banyana finally ascended to the pinnacle of football on the continent in the tournament’s last edition, defeating hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final in 2022.

Three years later, Banyana Banyana will return to Morocco with a target on their backs and a title to defend.

South Africa will aim to join Nigeria as the only nations to successfully retain their status as continental champions. Nigeria won seven straight WAFCON titles between 1991 and 2006 before winning another three in a row from 2014-2018.

Sitting 54th in the FIFA Women’s World Ranking, South Africa the second highest ranked African team going into the tournament, behind only Nigeria.

The South African side’s preparations have gone well, with the team winning the inaugural #ThreeNations Series on home soil at the beginning of June. Banyana Banyana bested both Botswana and Zambia to remain undefeated in the friendly series. Head coach Dr Desiree Ellis used the tournament for squad selection and to give players opportunities to prove themselves and earn a spot in the WAFCON squad.

The final Banyana Banyana 26 player squad for this year’s WAFCON features a balance of youth and experience, with 14 players from their triumph at the last edition returning to try to secure a second successive title.

The squad is strengthened by the return of Hildah Magaia, whose availability for the tournament was questionable due to her recovery from injury. However, she has been cleared to play.

Banyana Banyana will be led on the field by a group of three co-captains, as they were in their 2022 campaign. The team will be led by veterans Refiloe Jane, Amogelang Motau and Lebohang Ramalepe.

Final Banyana Banyana Squad WAFCON 2024:

Goalkeepers

Andile Dlamini

Kaylin Swart

Dineo Magagula

Defenders

Lebohang Ramalepe

Fikile Magama

Gabriela Salgado

Tiisetso Makhubela

Bambanani Mbane

Karabo Dhlamini

Lonathemba Mhlongo

Midfielders

Sibulele Holweni

Bongeka Gamede

Linda Motlhalo

Nonhlanhla Mthandi

Refiloe Jane

Amogelang Motau

Noxolo Cesane

Forwards

Adrielle Mibe

Kgaelebane Mohlakoana

Hildah Magaia

Jermaine Seoposenwe

Bonolo Mokoma

Ronnel Donnely

Non-traveling players on standby:

Nthabiseng Majiya (forward)

Casey Gordon (goalkeeper)