By 
JOHANNESBURG — Sasol Banyana Banyana Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis has officially fired the opening salvo of South Africa’s continental campaign, naming a competitive 31-player preliminary squad for the upcoming CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON 2026) in Morocco.
The tournament, scheduled to run from 26 July to 16 August 2026, represents a massive opportunity for the South Africans to reclaim their continental crown.
Familiar Faces and Surprise Returns
Dr Ellis has opted for a blend of continuity and revitalized experience. While she has retained the core group of players who have anchored the Senior Women’s National Team in recent months, the preliminary roster features some eye-catching recalls.
Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, Ronnel Donnelly, and Cimone Sauls have all earned call-ups back into the national setup after prolonged absences from the Banyana colours. Their inclusion injects valuable depth and competition into a squad that must be trimmed down to a final 26-player traveling party before heading to North Africa.
The Road Ahead: Group B Under the Spotlight
The 2022 African Champions face a rigorous group-stage test. Drawn in Group B, South Africa will be based in Casablanca, playing all their group matches at the Moulay Rachid Stadium.
- 27 July: Tournament opener against Tanzania
- 31 July: A heavyweight clash against Ivory Coast
- 4 August: Final group fixture against Burkina Faso
After a disappointing fourth-place finish at the 2024 tournament—where rivals Nigeria lifted the trophy—Ellis’s charges will be fiercely determined to assert their dominance early on.
High Stakes: World Cup Tickets on the Line
The tournament carries massive weight beyond continental bragging rights. The top four finishing nations at WAFCON 2026 will earn automatic qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. For Banyana Banyana, securing a semifinal spot is the bare minimum to guarantee their place on the global stage.
The squad will report to training camp on Sunday, 12 July, to begin intense preparations before departing for Morocco on Saturday, 18 July. With the clock ticking down to their 27 July opener against Tanzania, the battle for the final 26 spots is officially underway.
