Ellis explains Banyana Banyana squad omissions ahead of World Cup play-offs

Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis has explained why several players were not included in the squad for phase one of the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Playoffs later this month.

South Africa must take the long route to qualification after failing to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), a result that ruled out automatic qualification for the global tournament.

The 2022 African champions will compete in a six-team mini-tournament in Morocco from 28 November to 5 December. Their opponents will be Chinese Taipei, Ecuador, Uzbekistan, Ghana and Papua New Guinea.

The two highest-ranked teams in the play-offs will progress to the final qualifying round in February next year.

Ellis has made changes to the squad that faced Madagascar in the second round of the 2028 Olympic qualifiers. Sinegugu Zondi, Isabella Ludwig, Cimone Sauls and Siyamthanda Qashani were among those left out of the latest selection.

Speaking to Safa.net, Ellis said the omissions were not necessarily linked to the players’ performances, with several factors affecting her choices.

“There were other players that we were looking at,” said Ellis.

“But due to exams, injuries and lack of valid passports, we had to omit them. 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.”

Ellis stresses importance of opening game

The coach acknowledged that the play-off route was not the one South Africa had wanted, but said the team was focused on securing one of the two available places in the next phase.

“This is not the route we wanted to go, but we are here now,” added Ellis.

“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 a huge boost because the games are going to come thick and fast.

“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.”