By Sasol Banyana Banyana Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis has announced her 23-player squad tasked with securing qualification at the upcoming 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup inter-confederation play-offs.
The high-stakes mini tournament is set to take place from 28 November to 5 December 2026 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat, Morocco.
Dr Ellis has maintained the core group that recently secured back-to-back victories over Madagascar in Olympic Games qualifiers in Bloemfontein. The squad selection also features the notable return of Denmark-based midfielder Sibulele Holweni, earning her first call-up since making her move to Europe last month.
However, the squad composition faced some hurdles. “There were other players that we were looking at but due to exams, injuries and lack of valid passports, we had to omit them,” Dr Ellis explained. “But we are happy with the selections we have made as they give us a balanced squad that we believe will get the required outcomes in Morocco.”
Banyana Banyana will have to navigate their opening fixture without influential captain Refiloe Jane. Jane is suspended for the first match after picking up two yellow cards during the WAFCON play-off clash against Nigeria in August.
South Africa’s campaign in Rabat features three demanding group fixtures:
- Saturday, 28 November (16h00 SA Time): vs. Chinese Taipei
- Tuesday, 1 December (21h00 SA Time): vs. Ecuador
- Saturday, 5 December (19h00 SA Time): vs. Uzbekistan
Ghana and Papua New Guinea round out the teams participating in the Moroccan tournament. Only the top two finishers from this mini-competition will advance to the final qualification round in February 2027, where they will join representatives from UEFA, CONMEBOL, and CONCACAF to battle for the final three tickets to the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
Acknowledging the difficult path to qualification, Dr Ellis emphasized the critical importance of a strong start. “This is not the route we wanted to go, but we are here now,” she said. “We are all aware that we have to get one of the top two spots, which makes the first match the most important because it sets the tone for the rest of the competition.”
“With a positive result we will give ourselves the required momentum as well as a huge boost because the games are going to come thick and fast,” Dr Ellis added. “We know that in these tournaments there’s not a lot of time in between, hence I emphasize that the opening match will be very crucial. We get that right and we stand a good chance of progressing.”
Banyana Banyana are scheduled to assemble for training camp on 18 November 2026 before departing for Morocco the following day.
