Banyana Banyana have named a 23-player squad to take on Japan in two away international friendly matches, with the first encounter scheduled for the Nagai Ballgame Field in Osaka, Japan on Saturday, 6 June, 2026.
The Japan tour represents the most demanding phase yet of preparations for the rescheduled 2026 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, confirmed to run in Morocco from Saturday, 25 July to Sunday, 16 August, 2026. The tournament doubles as the qualifying route to the 2027 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Brazil, with four African nations earning places at the global showpiece through the semi-final route.
Sasol Banyana Banyana have been drawn in Group B alongside Ivory Coast, Burkina Faso and Tanzania, with their group matches to be played at the Al Medina Stadium in Rabat. The top two from each of the four groups advance to the quarter-finals, but it is a semi-final place that secures a Brazil 2027 ticket, raising the stakes on every group result.
The Japan squad sees the return of overseas-based duo Thembi Kgatlana and Bongeka Gamede, both of whom missed the April Algeria camp through injury, alongside midfielder Isabella Ludwig and defender Asanda Hadebe, who were part of the team’s COSAFA camp in February. Lebohang Ramalepe is unavailable due to academic commitments, while Amogelang Motau, Hildah Magaia and Shakira O’Malley are nursing injuries.
“It is unfortunate to have those players not available but it’s also good to see the return of Thembi and Bongeka, as well as Isabella and Asanda who were with us during the COSAFA camp in February,” said Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis.
“It’s been kind of difficult to look at and select players outside the two previous camps (COSAFA and Algeria), so I am really grateful that the league is starting with the kind of format that it has as it will give us a great chance to monitor and assess players in one place,” said Ellis.
The two-match Japan series will press Banyana Banyana on tempo, defensive organisation and final-third efficiency, the three areas Ellis has flagged as growth zones. The second clash is scheduled for the J-Green Sakai in Osaka, Japan on Tuesday, 9 June, 2026. The squad assembles for camp in Johannesburg on Sunday, 31 May, 2026, and departs for Japan the following day on Monday, 1 June, 2026.
“Of course two big games against Japan ranked number five in the world, they’re also the current Asian champions. We know the qualities that they have, they will really challenge us in a different way to what Algeria did.”
Banyana Banyana Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis
“As we prepare for the WAFCON, these are the type of challenges we want, to be able to see what we still need to work on because nothing is perfect yet,” added Ellis.
The Japan tests follow back-to-back April wins over Algeria. Ellis opened the international window with a 1-0 victory at the Princess Magogo Stadium in KwaMashu, Durban on Tuesday, 14 April, 2026, before her side sealed a 2-0 second-leg result at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi on Friday, 17 April, 2026. Nthabiseng Majiya scored in both fixtures.
Veteran defender Bambanani Mbane became the 12th Banyana Banyana player to earn 100 caps in the first match, while Karabo Dhlamini reached her 50th international appearance three days later.
South Africa enter WAFCON 2026 as 2022 champions, looking to improve on a fourth-placed finish at the 2024 edition, where Ellis’ side lost the semi-final to eventual winners Nigeria before going down to Ghana on penalties in the bronze medal match. Sasol Banyana Banyana have appeared at every edition of the continental championship, a record shared only with the Super Falcons of Nigeria.
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A third World Cup is the goal. The path runs through Osaka and on to Morocco. The opening whistle blows on Saturday, 25 July, 2026.
Banyana Banyana International Friendlies Fixtures List vs Japan in Osaka, Japan
Sat, 6 June: Japan vs South Africa (Nagai Ballgame Field)
Tue, 9 June: Japan vs South Africa (J-Green Sakai)
23-Player Banyana Banyana Squad for the Japan International Friendlies
Goalkeepers
Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Kaylin Swart (JVW FC)
Katlego Moletsane (University of Fort Hare FC)
Defenders
Sinegugu Zondi (The University of the Western Cape)
Fikile Magama (The University of the Western Cape)
Bambanani Mbane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Antonia Maponya (The University of the Western Cape)
Asanda Hadebe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Karabo Dhlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Lonathemba Mhlongo (The University of the Western Cape)
Khutso Pila (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Midfielders
Linda Motlhalo (Glasgow City, Scotland)
Bongeka Gamede (Nordsjaelland, Denmark)
Refiloe Jane (TS Galaxy FC)
Noxolo Cesane (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Isabella Ludwig (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Nonhlanhla Mthandi (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Forwards
Nthabiseng Majiya (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Thorisho Mphelo (JVW FC)
Bonolo Mokoma (JVW FC)
Thembi Kgatlana (Tigres, Mexico)
Gabriela Moodaly-Salgado (JVW FC)
Wendy Shongwe (Mamelodi Sundowns FC)
Main Photo Caption: Banyaya Banyana’s Noxolo Cesane pictured in action against Algeria. Cesane is named in Dr Desiree Ellis’s 23-player squad for twin international friendlies against world no. 5 Japan, in Osaka, early in June, announced in a SAFA press release on Thursday, 14 May, 2026. File Photo: Sasol in Sport
Photo 2 Caption: Banyana Banyana head coach Dr Desiree Ellis is keen to see the outcomes of the sternest possible pre-WAFCON tour. File Photo: SAFA
Photo 3 Caption: Banyana Banyana and Glasgow City pro Linda Motlhalo is named in the South African squad for Osaka. File Photo: Sasol in Sport
