Desiree Ellis Trims Banyana Banyana Squad to 26 for WAFCON Title Chas…

Sasol Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis has named her final squad of 26 players for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco, unveiling the group at a squad announcement and send-off event at Sasol Place in Sandton on Friday, 17 July 2026.

Ellis and her technical staff kept faith with the bulk of the players on duty in recent windows, trimming a preliminary group of 31 to the final 26, with Bonolo Mokoma, Cimone Sauls, Sinegugu Zondi, Shakira O’Malley and Tiisetso Makhubela the players to miss out on the continental showpiece, which runs from Sunday, 26 July to Sunday, 16 August 2026.

Desiree Ellis Selects 31 Players in Preliminary Squad for WAFCON

“It is never easy choosing the squad for any tournament, but it is something that has to be done and unfortunately, we cannot take all the players with us. Bringing down the squad to 31 was very difficult, but even more so to come up with the final 26. We are satisfied with the selection we made, and we have complete faith that they will deliver on the mandate. newsbetting.bond

“A big thank you to SAFA and Sasol for backing this team all the way, gratitude also goes to all the other partners who are behind Sasol Banyana Banyana and not forgetting the millions of South Africans fans who have invested their emotions with Banyana Banyana.”

Sasol Banyana Banyana Head Coach, Dr Desiree Ellis

The additions to the group that campaigned at the previous edition include Kebotseng Moletsane, Isabella Ludwig, Asanda Hadebe, Antonia Maponya, Zoe October, Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, Nthabiseng Majiya and Thembi Kgatlana, while Ronnel Donnelly returns after a recent spell out of selection and Robyn Moodaly-Salgado pulls on the jersey for the first time since 2023.

Six players will make their tournament debut in Moletsane, Hadebe, Maponya, Khutso Pila, Ludwig and October, with October the youngest member of the squad at 18 years old.

“We have a nice mixture of youth and experience and that was key in making our selection because while we have immediate goals, we still need to look beyond the tournament and not be found wanting. We are under no illusion that this competition will be tough, but we believe we have a balanced squad and are well prepared for what lies ahead of us,” added Ellis.

The 2022 African champions will make their 14th appearance at the tournament and have been drawn in Group B alongside Tanzania, Côte d’Ivoire and Burkina Faso, with the 2026 edition doubling as the qualification route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, where the four semi-finalists will book their places at the global showpiece.

“The mission is clear, qualify for the World Cup and then we see how far we go. And that means the focus for now is the opening game against Tanzania as it will set the tone for the tournament. We also depart with the full knowledge of the weight of expectations from all South Africans and we promise not to disappoint,” said Ellis.

Banyana Banyana open against Tanzania at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca on Monday, 27 July 2026 at 18h00 local time (19h00 SA time), meet Côte d’Ivoire at the same time on Friday, 31 July 2026 and conclude the group stage against Burkina Faso at 22h00 SA time on Tuesday, 4 August 2026, with all three fixtures staged at the same venue.

Speaking at the send-off, SAFA Vice President and NEC Member Anastasia Tsichlas paid tribute to the team’s impact on South African women’s football.

“Today’s send-off is more than a farewell; it is a celebration of a team that has inspired a nation. Sasol Banyana Banyana are ambassadors for South African football, women’s empowerment and national pride.”

SAFA Vice President and NEC Member, Anastasia Tsichlas

“As the 2022 WAFCON champions, they travel to Morocco carrying the hopes of millions of South Africans. We have every confidence that they will represent South Africa with courage, excellence, and pride. We wish them every success as they once again fly the South African flag high,” said Tsichlas.

The squad departs for Morocco on Saturday, 18 July 2026, with the overseas-based quartet of Kgatlana and Amogelang Motau, both based in Mexico, Linda Motlhalo in Scotland and Bongeka Gamede in Denmark joining up with the team in North Africa.

Banyana Banyana return to the country where they lifted a first continental crown in 2022, aiming to improve on a fourth-place finish at the previous edition and to carry South Africa back to the World Cup stage in Brazil.

The Sasol Banyana Banyana WAFCON 2026 Group B Campaign at the Moulay Rachid Stadium, Casablanca:

Mon 27 July, 19h00: South Africa vs. Tanzania
Fri 31 July, 19h00: South Africa vs. Côte d’Ivoire
Tue 4 August, 22h00: South Africa vs. Burkina Faso

All times CAT

Sasol Banyana Banyana WAFCON 2026 Squad

Goalkeepers

Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Kebotseng Moletsane (University of Fort Hare FC)

Defenders

Lebohang Ramalepe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Lonathemba Mhlongo (University of the Western Cape FC)
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Asanda Hadebe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Antonia Maponya (University of the Western Cape FC)
Khutso Pila (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Fikile Magama (University of the Western Cape FC)

Midfielders

Bongeka Gamede (FC Nordsjaelland, Denmark)
Noxolo Cesane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado (JVW FC)
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland)
Nonhlanhla Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy Queens FC)
Sibulele Holweni (University of the Western Cape FC)
Isabella Ludwig (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Robyn Moodaly-Salgado (JVW FC)
Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico)

Forwards

Hildah Magaia (Unattached)
Thembi Kgatlana (Tigres UANL, Mexico)
Ronnel Donnelly (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Zoe October (University of the Western Cape FC)

---

Main Photo Caption: Sport, Arts and Culture Deputy Minister Peace Mabe welcomed the announcement of the final squad of 26 players for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations by head coach Dr Desiree Ellis, where the 2022 African champions open their Group B campaign against Tanzania at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca, Morocco, on Monday, 27 July 2026. All Photos: SABC Sport

Photo 2 Caption: SABC Sport’s Keletso Totlhanyo and Sasol Executive Vice President of People, SHE, Risk, and Corporate Affairs, Thabile Makgala.

The post Desiree Ellis Trims Banyana Banyana Squad to 26 for WAFCON Title Chase in Morocco appeared first on gsport4girls.

Tom Dawson-Squibb and Jean-Luc du Plessis hailed the character of the Stormers XXIII after Friday’s result at Cape Town Stadium, but insisted the club has “a long way to go”.

In Dawson-Squibb’s first game in charge, Stefan Ungerer’s late try for the Stormers sealed a 25-19 win over Griquas to snap an eight-match losing streak against the defending Currie Cup champions.

“You never want to get too high or too low, but we feel good,” the head coach said. “It wasn’t pretty, but I’m massively proud of the character.”

The Stormers were undone by ill-discipline in the first half of their season-opener, conceding two yellow cards and repeated penalties that let Griquas build a foothold through tries from Sako Makata and Lourens Oosthuizen.

“[Penalties] was a huge frustration,” Dawson-Squibb said. “I can’t fault the bravery; we had 13 men at one stage and we kept defending. But our discipline needs to get better, no doubt about that.”

RECAP: Stormers break Griquas hoodoo

Vernon Paulo and Mfundo Ndhlovu tries either side of the break gave the hosts the lead, but Dawson-Squibb said the reduced penalty count in the second 40 brought little relief.

“We halved our penalties but it didn’t give us more territory, so we had to keep working hard. We have to go back to the drawing board and channel that enthusiasm into accurate execution.”

Captain Du Plessis, who opened the scoring with a penalty before departing with a knee injury at the interval, added: “The attitude was definitely there.

“We knew the challenge that was ahead of us, but we know what we are capable of, and had belief in ourselves.

“I said to the guys in the changing room, ‘thank you, this means a lot to me’. It’s only the first game … but to win like we did at home, it feels lekker.”

REPORT: Sharks hold on for narrow win

Dawson-Squibb, a former Proteas performance specialist and UCT Ikeys boss, was also quick to downplay his impact at the helm of the rebranded Western Province outfit.

“As a coach, you’re just a custodian – we are lucky to get the opportunity to work with these players. I’m also proud of the coaches. They deserve a lot of credit for mapping out the scenarios.

“We’ve got a long way to go, and I don’t think I’ve arrived at all. We won one game in the 79th minute!”

The Capetonians travel to Wellington next week to face a Boland Cavaliers side that beat them in the pre-season.

“We know it will be a packed stadium, and we’ve got our work cut out against them, but we’re excited,” Dawson-Squibb said.

Look at what it means! #inittogether pic.twitter.com/LfBd2EKOfP

— DHL Stormers (@THESTORMERS) July 17, 2026

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The post New Stormers coach on highs, lows of first W appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Head coach Tom Dawson-Squibb has shed light on several injury concerns following the Stormers XXIII’s 2026 Currie Cup opener, including a forced substitution of Oli Kebble.

Speaking post-match at Cape Town Stadium, Dawson-Squibb moved to ease fears over Kebble after the loosehead prop was taken off early in Friday night’s 25-19 win over Griquas.

“Oli was called off by the match-day doctor; the protocol is ‘Recognise and Remove’,” the Stormers tactician told reporters.

“The doctor had seen something that made him think that Oli must come off the field. Apparently, he had a knock on his shoulder.

“Oli should be fine … he is definitely fine.”

RECAP: Stormers break Griquas hoodoo

Recognise and Remove is World Rugby’s mandatory first-line concussion protocol. Any player showing signs, or even suspected signs, of a concussion must be taken off immediately and isn’t permitted to return to play.

Stormers director of rugby John Dobson rushed pitchside when the 34-year-old Kebble was replaced by Mhleli Khuzwayo, before returning to his seat outside the coaches’ box visibly frustrated.

Kebble wasn’t the only worry for the Stormers coaching staff ahead of next Sunday’s derby trip to the Boland Cavaliers. Captain and flyhalf Jean-Luc du Plessis went off at half-time with a knee injury, while No 8 Wandile Mlaba also took a blow to the leg.

“Hopefully JL pulls through alright,” Dawson-Squibb said. “Wandile had a bit of a niggle, but he just walked past [the media room] and he looks fine!

“He had a bit of a knock on his knee, but I think he’ll be OK.”

Friday’s match was settled minutes before the final hooter when Stefan Ungerer crossed the whitewash. But referee Stephan Geldenhuys sent the try to the TMO for several replays of a possible knock-on in the build-up.

REPORT: Sharks hold on for narrow win

The nervy finish capped a game the Stormers led twice through Vernon Paulo and Mfundo Ndhlovu before a 13-man Griquas almost secured victory.

“I don’t think I’d be sitting here now if that was given as a knock-on,” Dawson-Squibb quipped. “I think one must be careful when one goes upstairs. It doesn’t always mean it’s an infringement.

“If I look at the clip, and I haven’t watched it afterwards yet, but he [Geldenhuys] was right in position. He was in a better position than any camera.

“For me, it was clearly not forward, so we would have been fairly frustrated had that been given as forward.”

Photo: Ashley Vlotman/Gallo Images

The post Stormers coach explains Oli removal appeared first on SA Rugby magazine.

Pour sa première sortie de l’été, l’Olympique de Marseille a lancé sa préparation de manière convaincante. Les Phocéens se sont imposés 3-0 face à Yamoussoukro, ce vendredi, en Côte d’Ivoire, offrant ainsi à Bruno Genesio une première victoire depuis sa prise de fonctions.

Marseille n’a pas tardé à prendre les commandes de la rencontre. Après plusieurs situations offensives, Maupay a trouvé la faille à la 13e minute, idéalement servi par Bezahaf.

Malgré plusieurs opportunités pour doubler la mise avant la pause, les Marseillais ont dû patienter jusqu’au retour des vestiaires. Dès la 47e minute, Lago a profité d’un excellent service de Kamissoko pour inscrire le deuxième but de l’OM et donner davantage d’ampleur à l’avance olympienne.

En fin de partie, Moumbagna a définitivement scellé le sort de la rencontre en inscrivant le troisième but à la 79e minute.

Le prochain rendez-vous de préparation est déjà fixé. L’Olympique de Marseille retrouvera l’Athletic Bilbao le 9 août prochain, au Stade Vélodrome.

The post L’OM de Bruno Genesio démarre sa préparation par un succès face à Yamoussoukro appeared first on AfricaFootUnited.