Ellis’ early Banyana squad for World Cup

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has named a 36-member preliminary squad for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup.

The squad was announced by the SA Football Association (Safa) on Monday. The players called up will attend a camp in Johannesburg with a chance to make the final 23-member squad. Fifa’s deadline to name the final squad is July 9.

The World Cup in Australia and New Zealand runs from July 20 to August 20.

“The national team will go into camp in Johannesburg on June 12 and all the players have a chance to impress the coach before the final list for the global tournament is announced later this month,” Safa said.

Ellis admitted the selection of the 36 players, from which veteran Janine van Wyk was a notable omission, gave the coach plenty of headaches. “It’s probably one of the most difficult selections I’ve ever had to make,” she said. “As a coach you always say players must raise their hand and make it difficult. And it has been difficult.

“We are going to do a final selection and announce the final 23 plus three [reserves]. That is going to be even more difficult, but this is the group of players we think will do the job for us.”

According to Safa, “Banyana’s highest-capped player, Janine van Wyk, was part of Ellis’s plans for the preliminary squad but was withdrawn from the list due to injury.”

Van Wyk was quoted as saying, “I have sustained an injury that I personally feel would affect my chances of performing at the highest level required to make the World Cup squad. I have to turn down the call-up with a heavy heart, but also knowing I am doing what is best for the team.”

Banyana qualified for the World Cup as the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations champions, after beating hosts Morocco 2-1 in the final.

SA, whose games in a tough group G will all be played in New Zealand, kick off the World Cup against Sweden in Wellington on July 23, meet Argentina in Dunedin on July 28 and Italy in Wellington on August 2.