Banyana Banyana will be without star striker Thembi Kgatlana when they face DR Congo in the first leg of their 2026 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) qualifying match on Wednesday.
The match will take place at Pentecost Martyrs Stadium in Kinshasa, with kick-off scheduled for 19:00.
Kgatlana, who plays her club football in Mexico for Tigres UANL, will miss the trip along with her fellow Mexico-based teammates Hilda Magaia [Club Tijuana], Sinoxolo Cesane [Mazatlan FC], and Amogelang Motau [Club Tijuana].
However, the quartet is expected to be available for the second leg at FNB Stadium on Tuesday, 28 October.
“Banyana Banyana assembled for camp on Sunday, 19 October 2025, and travelled to Kinshasa, DR Congo, to begin preparations for the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) 2026 qualifiers,” SAFA confirmed in a statement.
“The team held their first training session in DR Congo on Monday, 20 October 2025, as they settle in Kinshasa and build toward the first leg on Wednesday.
“The travelling group is close to full complement, with Bongeka Gamede having arrived yesterday, while Linda Motlhalo is scheduled to join on Tuesday.
“The Mexico-based quartet of Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Sinoxolo Cesane, and Amogelang Motau will link up with the team in Johannesburg for the second leg.
“These staggered arrivals have been planned into the camp schedule to ensure continuity across both fixtures.”
Kgatlana, who suffered a foot injury during Banyana Banyana’s historic 2022 WAFCON triumph, missed this year’s tournament due to personal reasons.
In her absence, Banyana reached the semi-finals, where they were beaten by eventual champions Nigeria, before losing the third-place playoff to Ghana on penalties.
Meanwhile, reports suggest that head coach Desiree Ellis — who recently agreed to a new five-year contract with Banyana — will not be on the bench for Wednesday’s encounter.
Assistant coach Thinasonke Mbuli is expected to take charge of the team. It is understood that Ellis has been unhappy with the financial terms of her new deal.
“In the build-up, Banyana Banyana’s preparations will focus on conditioning, tactical cohesion, and managing travel transitions to ensure optimal performance across both matches as the team targets progression to WAFCON 2026,” SAFA added.
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