Ellis names an experienced Banyana squad for world cup play-offs

Coach Desiree Ellis has revealed a robust Banyana Banyana squad for the FIFA Women’s World Cup Intercontinental play-offs, commencing later this month. She has high hopes that the experienced members of her team will guide them through to the subsequent play-off stage. Wendy Shongwe, who participated in the World Cup held in Australia, has rejoined the squad.

Notably, Banyana Banyana were unsuccessful in securing a direct qualification for the 2019 tournament in Brazil following their participation in this year's Women's AFCON in Morocco. The team is set to confront Chinese Taipei on the 28th of the current month, followed by matches against Ecuador on the 1st of December and Uzbekistan on the 5th of December.

Ellis remarked, "FIFA has stated that the roster can only include 23 players, making it quite a challenge. It's crucial to find versatile players who can excel in multiple positions, ensuring that all contingencies are covered, as our squad is considerably smaller than during the WAFCON, where we could field 26 players." The most disheartening aspect for Ellis is the persistent passport issues, as several players lack valid documentation.

Despite discussing this matter previously, the problem persists, hindering the evaluation of certain players, particularly in light of injuries and examinations.