Bayana Bayana head coach Desiree Ellis has announced a squad of 21 players and four standby players for the 2018 African Women Cup of Nations taking place in Ghana from 17 Nov to 1 December.

The squad is heavy on experience and features a majority of players who have been involved with the national side for years with space made for two uncapped players in Amanda Mthandi of the University of Johannesburg and Tiisetso Makhubela of Mamelodi Sundowns. The entire squad leaves for Ghana on 9 November and will play The Black Queens in a friendly match on 11 November following which the five players on the standby list will return to South Africa.

The South Africans who have never won this competition, will be making their twelfth overall appearance at the AWCON and play their opening match against the Super Falcons of Nigeria on 18 November. Bayana Bayana would be hoping to do better than the one nil semi-final defeat suffered against the Nigerians in Cameroon in 2016. They also play Kenya on 21 November and Zambia on 24 November in their remaining Group B games.

FULL SQUAD OF 21 PLAYERS

GOALKEEPERS: Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns), Kaylin Swart (Menlo College), Roxanne Barker (University of Western Cape).

DEFENDERS: Lebogang Ramalepe (Ma-Indies FC), Nothando Vilakazi (Palace Super Falcons FC), Janine Van Wyk (Houston Dash), Noko Matlou (Ma-Indies FC), Bambanani Mbane (Bloemfontein Celtic), Tiisetso Makhubela (Mamelodi Sundowns), Koketso Tlailane (TUT-PTA).

MIDFIELDERS: Kgaelebane Mohlakoana (Bloemfontein Celtic), Mamello Makhabane (JVW FC), Leandra Smeda (Gintra Universitetas), Nompumelelo Nyandeni (JVW FC), Linda Motlhalo (Houston Dash), Busisiwe Ndimeni (TUT-PTA), Refiloe Jane (Canberra United).

STRIKERS: Jermaine Seoposenwe (JVW FC), Thembi Kgatlana (Houston Dash), Melinda Kgadiete (Bloemfontein Celtic), Amanda Mthandi (University of Johannesburg).

STANDBY PLAYERS

Hilda Magaia (TUT-PTA), Kholosa Biyana (UKZN), Rachel Sebati (TUT-PTA), Thato Letsoso (University of Johannesburg).