2026 WAFCON: Banyana will not take Malawi for granted in friendlies – Ellis

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Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has emphasised the team’s focus, despite uncertainty around Malawi’s squad selection ahead of their international friendlies against the Scorchers on Saturday and Tuesday.

The South African women’s national team will face Malawi Scorchers at UJ Soweto Campus on Saturday, and return to the same venue on Tuesday for another contest, as part of their build-up to the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in July 2025.

“We do not have control over who the opponents (Malawi) select as part of their team,” she said as quoted by SAFA website. “We will prepare the way we prepare. Malawi have shown (their mettle) at COSAFA and have grown really well. They’ve shown that they’re a force to be reckoned with. They’ve shown their physicality and how they’ve evolved. They can play without their big players and we’re going to take nothing for granted.”

On Thursday, Jermaine Seoposenwe linked up with the Bafana squad, while Hilda Magaia is expected to join the team on Friday. Both players were delayed due to severe weather conditions in the United States of America that impacted their travel schedules.

These two friendlies will provide Banyana technical team with an opportunity to test combinations, build match fitness, and strengthen team chemistry ahead of the continental showpiece.

Banyana veteran Noko Matlou will be retiring from international football after the matches against Malawi and the two-match series will be the 39-year-old’s farewell.