Desiree Ellis brings fresh faces into Banyana Banyana squad for Olympic qualifiers

Banyana will face the Central African nation in the second round of the qualifying campaign, after they were handed a walkover due to the withdrawal of Mozambique, with the first leg scheduled for 25 October before the second leg on 31 October.

As earlier confirmed by the South African Football Association, former skipper Janine van Wyk returns for her final camp, as she targets two more appearances for a record 185 senior international caps to make her the most capped African footballer of all time. 

Also coming into the side is a number of youngsters, such as Sunflower FC defender Asanda Hadebe, who made her debut back in 2021, as well as teenage rising star Ayesha Moosa of the University of Johannesburg, and TS Galaxy Queens duo Nichole Michael and Samkelisiwe Selana.

Familiar faces left out include Spain-based veteran centre-back Noko Matlou, who withdrew from last month's USA trip due to visa issues, and Mamelodi Sundowns full-back Lebogang Ramalepe, while Robyn Moodaly also recently announced her retirement from international football.

Ellis will be hoping to make it past the first hurdle against the 111th-ranked side, after Banyana were bundled out of the 2020 Olympic qualifiers by neighbours Botswana at the same stage four years ago.

FULL BANYANA SQUAD: