Ellis Announces 31-Player Preliminary Roster
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has announced a preliminary 31-player squad for the 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), which will be held in Morocco from 26 July to 16 August.
The squad will be trimmed to 26 players before departing for North Africa later this month for the continental showpiece.
Ellis has retained the core of the squad that has represented Banyana Banyana in recent months, while Robyn Moodaly-Salgado, Ronnel Donnelly and Cimone Sauls have earned notable recalls after lengthy absences from the national team.
The reigning African champions will assemble for camp on Sunday, 12 July, before departing for Morocco on Saturday, 18 July.
Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania.
Ellis’ side will be based in Casablanca and will open their campaign against Tanzania on Monday, 27 July. They will then face Ivory Coast on Friday, 31 July, before concluding the group stage against Burkina Faso on Tuesday, 4 August.
All of Banyana Banyana’s group-stage matches will be played at the Moulay Rachid Stadium.
South Africa finished fourth at the 2024 tournament, which was held last year, while Nigeria were crowned champions.
The top four teams at the 2026 WAFCON will automatically qualify for the qualifying tournament for the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil.
