South Africa have included two foreign based players in their squad for the 10th edition of the African Women’s Cup of Nations which kicks off in Cameroon from November 19 to December 3.

Interim Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis announced a squad of 21 players Tuesday afternoon, two days before the South Africa head to Zimbabwe for a friendly against the Mighty Warriors.

Zimbabwe and South Africa are in the same group at the AFWCON finals alongside hosts Cameroon and Egypt.

The Mighty Warriors friendly match against Banyana Banyana will now be played at the National Sports Stadium on Thursday after Zifa moved the clash from Bulawayo’s Barbourfields Stadium.

Coincidentally, Zimbabwe and South Africa will meet in their opening Group A match at the Stade Ahmadou Ahidjo in Yaounde on November 19.

Ellis, who took over the reins from Vera Pauw, has kept the bulk of the squad that did duty at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games in August.

The foreign based duo of Holland-based Roxanne Barker and Jermaine Seoposenwe, who plies her trade in the USA, will not be part of the team that plays Zimbabwe on Thursday as they are only expected to join the squad in Cameroon on the 18th due to club commitments.

Defender Astria Boks from Santos FC of Cape Town is the only newcomer in the team, while the likes of U-20 captain Amogelang Motau, Yolula Tsawe, Lebogang Mabatle, Silindile Ngubane and Andisiwe Mgcoyi have been recalled.

All six missed the Olympics.

Ellis told Kick Off it was important to keep the experience in the team for this big tournament.

“We have come very close in this tournament and we believe we stand a good chance of doing even better,” she told Kick Off.

“I have kept the bulk of the squad mainly for the experience gathered over the years and at the Olympic Games.

“I am more confident than ever that we will do well this time around, and I don’t mean it will be an easy task.

“But in terms of the selection, if it ain’t broken, don’t fix it, and what we can assure all South Africans is that we will do the best we can to emerge victorious,” said Ellis.

The former Banyana captain had her first taste of being in charge when she led the squad against Egypt earlier last month (Saturday, 22 October) and won the international friendly 3-1 at the Dobsonville Stadium.

Banyana Banyana Squad

GOALKEEPERS:
 
1. Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)                         
2. Yolula Tsawe (JVW FC)                                                         
3. Roxanne Barker   (SC Heerenveen)                                             
 
DEFENDERS:

4. Leandra Smeda (UWC Ladies)                                                   
5. Nothando Vilakazi  (Palace Super Falcons)
6. Janine van Wyk (C)  (JVW FC)                                                          
7. Noko Matlou (MaIndis FC
8. Astria Boks (Santos FC)
9. Bambanani Mbane (Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies)
10. Lebogang Mabatle (TUKS)
11. Nomathemba Ntsibande (Springs Home Sweepers)
 
MIDFIELDERS:

12. Mamello Makhabane  (JVW FC)
13. Amogelang Motau  (UWC Ladies)
14. Refiloe Jane (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)                           
15. Nompumelelo Nyandeni  (JVW FC)                                                           
16. Silindile Ngubane (Durban Ladies)
17. Linda Motlhalo (JVW FC)                                                            
 
FORWARDS:

18. Shiwe Nogwanya  (Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies)                              
19. Andisiwe Mgcoyi  (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)                       
20. Jermaine Seoposenwe (Samford University)                                          
21. Thembi Kgatlana (UWC Ladies)