Desiree Ellis backs Refiloe Jane to lead Banyana Banyana in World Cup play-offs

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis says veteran midfielder Refiloe Jane still has an important role to play as South Africa prepare for the 2027 Fifa Women’s World Cup play-off tournament.

South Africa will face Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan in the preliminary phase, which will be held in Morocco from 28 November to 5 December at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat and Football Academy Mohammed VI in Sale. The final phase is scheduled for February next year.

Banyana Banyana must go through the play-offs after failing to reach the semi-finals of the 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon), which denied them automatic qualification for the tournament in Brazil.

Jane, 34, is among the experienced players named in Ellis’ squad. The coach rejected suggestions that age should determine whether a player remains involved in international football.

“‘Fifi’ [Jane] still has quality. The thing is that when players reach a certain stage, we tend to say their time is up,” Ellis said while announcing her squad at the SABC studios in Auckland Park on Tuesday.

“Noko Matlou played for the national team until she was 39 and for me it’s not about how old you are but what you can offer.

“At the past Wafcon, she [Jane] was good at set pieces and it is important she can still add value to the team. Experience means nothing if you can’t add value anymore because then it’s just a word.

“Until they cannot add value anymore, I still think they can give a lot to the team.”

Ellis has selected a squad featuring several established internationals, including goalkeeper Kaylin Swart, defenders Karabo Dhlamini and Bambanani Mbane, midfielders Jane and Sibulele Holweni, and forwards Thembi Kgatlana and Hildah Magaia.

The coach warned against underestimating any of their opponents, despite Chinese Taipei, Ecuador and Uzbekistan not being among the highest-profile teams in world football.

“We have two Asian teams in Chinese Taipei and Uzbekistan and one from South America in Ecuador. Chinese Taipei recently played in the Asian Games and Uzbekistan lost 6-3 and drew with China Taipei,” Ellis said.

“We also have Ecuador who played in the 2027 Conmebol [South American] play-offs and they drew with Chile 1-1 and lost to Argentina.”

“The reason for their high ranking is because they play teams that are highly ranked, while we beat teams like Madagascar that are lowly ranked and we lose points when we play them.

“These teams can play but we have never gone into any tournament and underestimated anyone and we won’t do it this time.”

Banyana Banyana squad

Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini, Katlego Moletsane (both Mamelodi Sundowns), Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)

Defenders: Karabo Dhlamini, Lebohang Ramalepe, Khutso Pila, Bambanani Mbane (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Antonia Maponya, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Fikile Magama (all University of the Western Cape)

Midfielders: Bongeka Gamede, Sibulele Holweni (both FC Nordsjælland, Denmark), Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland), Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy Queens), Amogelang Motau (Club Tijuana, Mexico), Noxolo Cesane, Nonhlanhla Mthandi (both Mamelodi Sundowns)

Forwards: Thembi Kgatlana (Tigres UANL, Mexico), Wendy Shongwe, Nthabiseng Majiya, Ronnel Donnelly (all Mamelodi Sundowns), Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado (JVW FC), Hildah Magaia (Al-Ittihad WFC, Saudi Arabia)