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# Desiree Ellis names 23-player Banyana Banyana squad for World Cup play-offs in Morocco
- URL: https://shibobo.news/desiree-ellis-names-23-player-banyana-banyana-squad-for-world-cup-play-offs-in-morocco/
- Published: 2026-11-10T17:06:29.000Z
- Updated: 2026-11-11T12:23:31.000Z
- Description: The South African Football Association says Banyana Banyana Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis has named her squad for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup play-offs. Captain Refiloe Jane misses the opening match.
- Author: Pitch
- Tags: Banyana Banyana and the women's game

Banyana Banyana Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis has named 23 players for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup play-offs in Morocco. The [South African Football Association](https://www.safa.net/general-news/dr-ellis-announces-banyana-squad-for-world-cup-play-offs/?ref=shibobo.news), or SAFA, announced the squad on 10 November 2026.

The mini tournament runs from 28 November to 5 December 2026 at the Mohammed VI Football Complex in Rabat. South Africa open against Chinese Taipei on Saturday 28 November at 4pm. Ecuador follow on Tuesday 1 December at 9pm, and Uzbekistan close the campaign on Saturday 5 December at 7pm.

According to SAFA, Ghana and Papua New Guinea are also in the event. Only the top two nations advance to the final round in February, where six teams play single knockout fixtures for three places at the 2027 World Cup in Brazil.

Captain Refiloe Jane will miss the first match, SAFA says. She serves a one-match suspension after two yellow cards in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations play-off against Nigeria in August.

SAFA says Dr Ellis has kept the bulk of the team that beat Madagascar in back-to-back Olympic qualifiers in Bloemfontein. Denmark-based midfielder Sibulele Holweni returns, her first call-up since moving to Europe. [ESPN](https://www.espn.com/espn/story/%5F/id/50441436/south-africa-des-ellis-wendy-shongwe-fifa-women-world-cup-playoffs?ref=shibobo.news) reports the aggregate score was seven-nil, with Ronnel Donnelly scoring five goals.

ESPN reports that Mamelodi Sundowns forward Wendy Shongwe is the only player not in the Women's Africa Cup of Nations squad.

Ellis said in the SAFA announcement: "We are all aware that we have to get one of the top two spots, which makes the first match the most important"

Banyana Banyana assemble for camp on 18 November and fly to Morocco the next day.

Our take: Ellis has kept the bulk of the team that scored freely against Madagascar. With only two places on offer, that is a sound decision.

## Sources

- [Dr ellis announces banyana squad for world cup play offs](https://www.safa.net/general-news/dr-ellis-announces-banyana-squad-for-world-cup-play-offs/?ref=shibobo.news)safa.net
- [South africa des ellis wendy shongwe fifa women world cup playoffs](https://www.espn.com/espn/story/%5F/id/50441436/south-africa-des-ellis-wendy-shongwe-fifa-women-world-cup-playoffs?ref=shibobo.news)espn.com