Desiree Ellis confirms final Banyana Banyana squad for WAFCON title defence

The tournament kicks off on Saturday, 5 July and will conclude on 26 July, with Banyana Banyana drawn in Group C alongside Ghana, Tanzania, and Mali. Ellis' side will be based in Oujda for the group stage.

The final squad announcement was made on Monday, 23 June at the SABC studios in Auckland Park, following a training camp in Johannesburg that began on 19 June with an initial 28-player group. That list has now been reduced to the final 23.

However, South Africa will be without star forward and former CAF Women's Player of the Year Thembi Kgatlana, who has withdrawn from the squad due to personal reasons - a major absence for Ellis and her technical team.

Adding further sentiment to the campaign, seasoned forward Jermaine Seoposenwe has confirmed that this tournament will mark her final appearance in national colours following her recent announcement of international retirement.

Midfield veterans Refiloe Jane and Amogelang Motau, alongside full-back Lebohang Ramalepe, have been named co-captains for the tournament.

Notable omissions from the final list include Shakira O'Malley and Michelle Sampson, while goalkeeper Casey Gordon and young striker Nthabiseng Majiya have been designated as standby players and will not travel with the squad to Morocco.

Banyana Banyana open their campaign against Ghana on 7 July, followed by matches against Tanzania (11 July) and Mali (14 July), with the top two teams from each group - plus the best two third-placed sides - progressing to the quarterfinals.

Banyana Banyana Final Squad – WAFCON 2025

Goalkeepers:
Kaylin Swart, Andile Dlamini, Dineo Magagula

Defenders:
Lebohang Ramalepe, Fikile Magama, Gabriela Salgado, Tiisetso Makhubela, Bambanani Mbane, Karabo Dhlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo

Midfielders:
Bongeka Gamede, Sibulele Holweni, Linda Motlhalo, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Refiloe Jane, Amogelang Motau, Regina Mogolola, Noxolo Cesane

Forwards:
Adrielle Mibe, Kgalebane Mohlakoana, Hildah Magaia, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Bonolo Mokoma, Ronnel Donnely

Standby (Non-traveling):
Casey Gordon, Nthabiseng Majiya

Banyana Banyana enter the tournament as favourites to retain their crown, but with high expectations comes pressure. Ellis will be banking on the experience and unity of her squad - even in the absence of key figures - to carry South Africa deep into the knockout stages once again.