Women's World Cup: Coach Desiree Ellis names 36-member Banyana Banyana preliminary squad

Banyana Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis has unveiled the preliminary 36-member squad, which will be narrowed down to 23 players, ahead of the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup.

A former Banyana star herself, Ellis can only select a squad of 23 players (plus three standby players) that will eventually represent South Africa at the global tournament to be staged in Australia and New Zealand (20 July - 20 August).

The defending Women's Africa Cup of Nations champions will assemble in Johannesburg on 12 June for an intense training camp, where each player will have an opportunity to impress coach Ellis enough for a spot in the final squad.

Decked in the distinguished National Order of Ikhamanga, bestowed upon her by the South African government for her remarkable contributions to soccer, Ellis candidly expressed the monumental hurdle she faced in selecting the preliminary squad.

"It's most probably one of the most difficult selections I've ever had to make," the Banyana mentor told SAFA's official website.

"As a coach you always say players must raise their hand and make it difficult. And it has been very difficult (selecting the preliminary squad).

"Congratulations to the players that have made the preliminary squad. We are always saying players must raise their hands, and many of them have raised the hands. But this is the group of players that we think we can select from and they have raised their hands.

"We are going to do a final selection, as well as announce the final 23 plus three (standby players). That is even going to be more difficult, but this is the group of players that we think will do the job for us."

Meanwhile, veteran defender and former captain, Janine van Wyk, who is also the most capped Banyana player, had to