Rabat:Johannesburg Dr. Desiree Ellis, the head coach of Sasol Banyana Banyana, has announced her squad of 23 players for the upcoming 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-offs in Morocco.
According to South African Football Association, the mini tournament is scheduled from 28 November to 5 December 2026 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. Dr. Ellis has retained most of the team that recently triumphed over Madagascar in Olympic Games qualifiers, with the notable inclusion of Sibulele Holweni, a Denmark-based midfielder returning to the squad after her recent move to Europe.
The squad will be without captain Refiloe Jane for the first match, as she is suspended due to accumulated yellow cards during the WAFCON play-off against Nigeria. The team will open their campaign against Chinese Taipei on 28 November and will subsequently face Ecuador and Uzbekistan. Ghana and Papua New Guinea are also participating, with only the top two nations advancing to the final round next February.
Dr. Ellis emphasized the importance of a strong start, stating that the outcome of the opening match is crucial for setting the momentum in the tournament. The final phase will see six teams competing for three spots in the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil. Banyana Banyana is set to assemble for camp on 18 November before departing for Morocco the following day.