Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and UWC players might miss Banyana friendly match

The CAF competition takes place from 9 – 23 November, while Desiree Ellis’ charges have two international friendly matches against Jamaica away between 25 November and 2 December.

This may leave little time for rest for the players going to North Africa. 13 players - eight from Sundowns Ladies and five from UWC - are in the current Banyana squad to face Denmark and England later this week. Here is Desiree Ellis.

"We haven't thought that far, we will obviously sit down and pave the way forward. We first gotta concentrate on the Denmark, England game but in the meanwhile we're busy planning for that,” Ellis said.

“We are constantly in contact with coach Thina, all the time even during this tournament, she was here as well and we were discussing a lot of those things so we haven't sat down yet to discuss what we are going to do but obviously we will sit down and then pave the way forward."

Banyana assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli, who is also the head coach of UWC, will not form part of the Denmark and England trip as she will be in Scotland for her coaching badges.

She says, however, she will be available for the Jamaica fixtures, but not so sure about her players.

"I will be available for that last FIFA window, I'm not sure about the players but we already spoke about it with coach Des as it stands, I don't think Banyana can use our players or Sundowns players but I will be available for that camp," Mbuli said.

READ: Isabella Ludwig: Key to show Banyana capabilities at COSAFA Cup

Ellis says the Denmark and England matches come at a time when Banyana haven’t played in four months, which makes the assignment challenging.

"We know it's going to be a difficult match, both matches but this is all part of our preparation. We haven't played since our last match against Senegal which was early June but we gotta stand up again and show some character,” the Banyana head coach added.

“But also more importantly the players have to raise their hands now, we are preparing for WAFCON this is another opportunity for players to remind us, coach we are here, don't forget about us."

OUTRO: Banyana Banyana assembled for camp on Sunday and will depart for Denmark tonight (Monday, 21 October). They face Denmark on Friday, 25 October and then take on England on Tuesday, 29 October. The COSAFA Women’s Championship team is already in Gqeberha and will play their first match on Tuesday against Namibia at 5pm at the Nelson Mandela Stadium, followed by Eswatini on Friday (25 October) and the Seychelles on Monday (28 October).