Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has named the squad to face Japan in two friendlies in June, making some notable changes to the side she named for the Algeria matches played in April.
Shakira O’Malley, Mexico-based Amogelang Motau and striker Hildah Magaia miss out owing to injury, while full-back-turned-winger Lebo Ramalepe has exams.
The first match against Japan is scheduled for 6 June at Nagai Ballgame Field in Osaka, while the second one will follow three days later at the J-Green Sakai also in Osaka.
The matches are part of ongoing preparations for the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) tournament starting in July in Morocco.
Banyana will face Burkina Faso, Ivory Coast and Tanzania in Group B at the event that is also a 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifier.
Before the Algeria matches, Banyana were in action at the 2025 COSAFA Women’s Championship held in Polokwane between February and March this year. With the domestic leagues yet to start Ellis said she had to look at the COSAFA squad in terms of the election for the squad to face the fifth ranked nation in the world.
“Look it’s very difficult at this moment we haven’t had any league football so, we have taken this group of players that we had from the COSAFA Cup,” said Ellis on SABC 1.
“Obviously called back players that were injured to have a look at them as well. And I’m very excited that the league is starting we are going to be able to see players every week.”
“And this will give us an opportunity to have a look at others because we want to make sure when we go to WAFCON that we select the best available players. For now our hands are also tied because we haven’t seen anyone else.”
“So we are going with the squad that we’ve seen and bringing in one or two players here and there but we got to look at other players.”
Below is the Banyana squad in full:
