{"id":32789,"date":"2025-10-22T16:11:57","date_gmt":"2025-10-22T14:11:57","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/?p=32789"},"modified":"2026-03-12T09:44:43","modified_gmt":"2026-03-12T07:44:43","slug":"banyana-banyana-vs-dr-congo","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/banyana-banyana-vs-dr-congo\/","title":{"rendered":"Banyana Banyana vs DR Congo: Coach Ellis and Key Forwards Missing for WAFCON Clash"},"content":{"rendered":"\n<p>Banyana Banyana are preparing for a defining test without several of their most influential figures as they gear up to face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday afternoon in the first leg of the final round of the 2026 FIFA Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-leadership-void-as-ellis-sits-out\">Leadership Void as Ellis Sits Out<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>For the first time in years, the national women\u2019s team will head into a major qualifier without head coach Desiree Ellis on the touchline. Ellis, who has led Banyana to continental glory and guided them to two World Cup appearances, remains absent from the squad due to unresolved contract negotiations with the South African Football Association (SAFA). Her previous deal expired after the Paris Olympic Games, leaving her to operate on a month-to-month agreement until now.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>The timing could hardly be worse. With WAFCON serving as a gateway to the 2027 FIFA Women\u2019s World Cup in Brazil as the semi-finalists will automatically qualify Ellis\u2019s absence casts a shadow over Banyana\u2019s preparations.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-73433593\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-assistant-coach-steps-up\">Assistant Coach Steps Up<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>In her absence, long-serving assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli will take charge. Mbuli, who also coaches the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in the Hollywoodbets Super League, is no stranger to the national setup. Having been part of Ellis\u2019s technical team through both triumphs and setbacks, she is widely viewed as the logical successor to the top job.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Mbuli\u2019s credentials are strong she led a side to victory in the COSAFA Cup and secured qualification for the CAF Women\u2019s Champions League. Now, she faces her biggest challenge yet: guiding a depleted squad in one of the most pivotal qualifiers in recent memory.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\u203c\ufe0fBanyana coach Des Ellis and 4 overseas-based players NOT in camp ahead of women\u2019s AFCON Qualifier tomorrow\u203c\ufe0f<br><br>Banyana face Democratic Republic of Congo in Kinshasa on Wednesday in the 1st leg tie <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/uUM0P1gUnQ\">pic.twitter.com\/uUM0P1gUnQ<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Xoli Zondo (MBA) (@XoliswaZondo) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/XoliswaZondo\/status\/1980679660976435385?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 21, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-overseas-stars-missing\">Overseas Stars Missing<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Adding to the team\u2019s woes is the absence of four key overseas-based players: Amogelang Motau, Thembi Kgatlana, Sinoxolo Cesane, and Hildah Magaia. All four play their club football in Mexico and were unavailable to join the camp that began on Sunday. Their absence leaves a noticeable gap in both experience and firepower, particularly up front where Kgatlana and Magaia have been instrumental in recent years.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-3112931872\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-testing-times-after-a-tough-campaign\">Testing Times After a Tough Campaign<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>Banyana\u2019s recent form has been far from reassuring. They endured a disappointing 2024 WAFCON campaign, relinquishing their continental crown and finishing fourth. The fallout from that performance has lingered, with speculation about leadership changes and internal friction surfacing soon after.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Retired striker Jermaine Seoposenwe publicly criticised Ellis following the tournament, alleging that she failed to support players during a dispute with SAFA. The remarks reignited debate over the management\u2019s relationship with players and whether a new era is needed for the team to rebuild its morale and unity.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<figure class=\"wp-block-embed is-type-rich is-provider-twitter wp-block-embed-twitter\"><div class=\"wp-block-embed__wrapper\">\n<blockquote class=\"twitter-tweet\" data-width=\"550\" data-dnt=\"true\"><p lang=\"en\" dir=\"ltr\">\ud83d\udea8 MATCH DAY\ud83d\udea8<br><br>2026 CAF WAFCON QUALIFIER <br><br>\u26bd\ufe0f DR Congo \ud83c\udde8\ud83c\udde9 vs \ud83c\uddff\ud83c\udde6 South Africa <br>\ud83d\uddd3 22 October 2025 <br>\u23f0\ufe0f 18h00 (SA time)<br>\ud83c\udfdf Stade des Martyrs<a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/hashtag\/LiveTheImpossible?src=hash&amp;ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">#LiveTheImpossible<\/a><a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/flysaa?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@flysaa<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/SABC_Sport?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">@SABC_Sport<\/a> <a href=\"https:\/\/t.co\/AojwWWVDfS\">pic.twitter.com\/AojwWWVDfS<\/a><\/p>&mdash; Banyana_Banyana (@Banyana_Banyana) <a href=\"https:\/\/twitter.com\/Banyana_Banyana\/status\/1980901888813068413?ref_src=twsrc%5Etfw\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noopener\">October 22, 2025<\/a><\/blockquote><script async src=\"https:\/\/platform.twitter.com\/widgets.js\" charset=\"utf-8\"><\/script>\n<\/div><\/figure>\n\n\n\n<h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-new-challenges-new-opportunities\">New Challenges, New Opportunities<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>While these absences and controversies could destabilise a lesser side, <a href=\"https:\/\/iol.co.za\/sport\/soccer\/banyana\/2025-10-21-banyana-banyana-to-face-dr-congo-without-coach-desiree-ellis-and-key-players\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Banyana<\/a> have historically shown resilience under pressure. Mbuli\u2019s leadership could prove pivotal in uniting the locally based players and re-establishing team confidence. With the likes of Refiloe Jane and Andile Dlamini expected to anchor the squad, there remains enough experience to navigate the first leg successfully.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>This qualifier isn\u2019t just another fixture it\u2019s a test of character for a team in transition. The absence of seasoned stars and a head coach could inspire a new generation of leaders within the squad.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<div id=\"gaute-553429136\" class=\"gaute-inbetween-content gaute-entity-placement\" style=\"margin-top: 30px;margin-bottom: 30px;margin-left: auto;margin-right: auto;text-align: center;\"><div class=\"gaute-adlabel\">Advertisement<\/div><script async src=\"\/\/pagead2.googlesyndication.com\/pagead\/js\/adsbygoogle.js?client=ca-pub-1852772760112594\" crossorigin=\"anonymous\"><\/script><ins class=\"adsbygoogle\" style=\"display:block;\" data-ad-client=\"ca-pub-1852772760112594\" \ndata-ad-slot=\"1819787043\" \ndata-ad-format=\"auto\" data-full-width-responsive=\"true\"><\/ins>\n<script> \n(adsbygoogle = window.adsbygoogle || []).push({}); \n<\/script>\n<\/div><h2 class=\"wp-block-heading\" id=\"h-a-defining-moment-awaits\">A Defining Moment Awaits<\/h2>\n\n\n\n<p>As Banyana Banyana take to the field in Kinshasa, the stakes couldn\u2019t be higher. A strong first-leg result could set the tone for their return home next week, keeping their WAFCON and World Cup hopes alive. Missing familiar faces might be a setback, but it could also mark the start of a bold new chapter for the reigning queens of African football.<\/p>\n\n\n\n<p>Related article: <a href=\"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/banyana-banyana-ready-for-wafcon-2025-in-morocco\/\" target=\"_blank\" rel=\"noreferrer noopener\">Banyana Banyana Ready to Defend WAFCON Crown in Morocco<\/a><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"<p>Banyana Banyana are preparing for a defining test without several of their most influential figures as they gear up to face the Democratic Republic of Congo on Wednesday afternoon in the first leg of the final round of the 2026 FIFA Women\u2019s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifiers. Leadership Void as Ellis Sits Out For<\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":8,"featured_media":32800,"comment_status":"closed","ping_status":"closed","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"rank_math_focus_keyword":"","rank_math_title":"","rank_math_description":"Banyana Banyana are preparing for a defining test without several of their most influential figures as they gear up to face the Democratic Republic of Congo on...","footnotes":""},"categories":[56,64],"tags":[2593,284,11108,2594],"class_list":{"0":"post-32789","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"category-sports","8":"category-sports-news","9":"tag-banyana-banyana","10":"tag-football-news","11":"tag-latest-sports-news","12":"tag-wafcon"},"_links":{"self":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32789","targetHints":{"allow":["GET"]}}],"collection":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts"}],"about":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/types\/post"}],"author":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/users\/8"}],"replies":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/comments?post=32789"}],"version-history":[{"count":4,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32789\/revisions"}],"predecessor-version":[{"id":32802,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/posts\/32789\/revisions\/32802"}],"wp:featuredmedia":[{"embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media\/32800"}],"wp:attachment":[{"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/media?parent=32789"}],"wp:term":[{"taxonomy":"category","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/categories?post=32789"},{"taxonomy":"post_tag","embeddable":true,"href":"https:\/\/www.gauteng.net\/whats-on-g\/wp-json\/wp\/v2\/tags?post=32789"}],"curies":[{"name":"wp","href":"https:\/\/api.w.org\/{rel}","templated":true}]}}