Banyana coach Ellis confirms Dlamini will miss Australia game, bemoans lack of travel docs

Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis said star goalkeeper Andile Dlamini won't make the trip to London to face Australia on Saturday because of a family bereavement.

However, Ellis's biggest disappointment was that one of her new squad players, Cynthia Makete, had to be excluded from the team because of paperwork.

Ellis confirmed that the defender will miss the game because of receiving her passport late, something that meant she couldn't apply for a visa.

Ellis also couldn't call up Noko Matlou and Noxolo Cesane because of visa issues where they are playing their football.

@Banyana_Banyana striker Gabriella Salgado is back to full fitness after missing the successful @CAFwomen Wafcon because of a shoulder injury.@Sport24news @SasolLeague pic.twitter.com/80XMxk0MaL

Ellis said prospective Banyana players have to jack up their documentation game to avoid such mishaps.

"Cynthia didn't have a passport. She only got it on Monday and that means she also can't travel," Ellis said.

"I say this all the time that if you aspire to play for the national team, you must have your travel documents in order.

"That doesn't just apply to the local players, but the ones who are abroad. You’d find that some don't even have SA documents and passports.

"There was no way we could replace her because of the visa issues."

Ellis said they need to apply the lessons from their Brazil excursion, where they were soundly beaten by the South American champions.

@Banyana_Banyana goal keeper Regirl Ngobeni is poised to start for the women's national team in their friendly against Australia after @sticks_andile had to withdraw because of a family bereavement.@Sport24news @SasolLeague pic.twitter.com/FNzboM9EXu

One of those issues was defensive and the long-standing