25 May 2023 – The weekend of the 20th and 21st of May brought with it the final hurdle ahead of the FIFAe Nations Cup 2023 finals set to take place in-person at a yet unconfirmed location later this year. SAFA Gaming’s FIFA 23 team comprised of Kaylan Moodley, Julio Bianchi, Thabo Moloi and the recently-crowned SAFA eCup winner Zaid April all successfully navigated the hotly contested Playoffs and will join Qatar and Morocco as entrants representing the Middle East and Africa zone in the 2v2 competition format. After a successful run in the Online Qualifiers in April that saw some new and returning member associations from across Africa and the Middle East take part, the SAFA Gaming FIFA 23 team earned one of the eight places in the last online segment of the competition. Playing from Johannesburg, the team made a hot start to the Playoffs on Saturday (20 May 2023). Kuwait were first up and the South African players took a foothold in the first match, winning 5-1 and going on towin 5-3 on aggregate over two legs. Next, a 7-5 aggregate loss against Morocco saw South Africa drop down into the Losers Bracket, but as this would provide another route to qualification, the mission was far from over. A run of results that saw a slim 6-5 victory over Egypt and a rematch against Kuwait that ended in a tighter 5-4 win secured safe passage to the Finals, with the rest of Sunday’s competitive action against the already qualified duo ofQatar and Morocco a mere formality for seedings in the yet-to-be-announced date and draw for the FIFAe Nations Cup 2023. Preparations for the upcoming mid-year showpiece event will begin shortly as SAFA Gaming’s FIFA 23 team will now have the opportunity to showcase their skills on a level playing field – the Association’s first appearance based on qualification at an in-person final – where the SA players will take on the world’s finest FIFA 23 players and prove their worth as being amongst  the popular football title’s Elite players.

6 February 2025 – Banyana Banyana coach Dr Desiree Ellis has named the team that will face Mehalalitoe of Lesotho in two international friendly matches this month. These matches are part of the South Africa Senior Women’s National Team’s preparations for the 2025 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, which will take place in Morocco between 5 – 26 July 2025. The Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana will begin the camp with a goalkeeper’s camp on 15 February 2025, with in-field players joining the camp on 17 February 2025 in Johannesburg. Head Coach Dr Desiree Ellis announced her squad for the two international friendly matches, which will be played at UJ Soweto Campus on 22 and 25 February 2025. Speaking after the announcement Dr Ellis, expressed her excitement with the new brew of players she has called up. “We are always watching players and have been impressed with the group we have called in for these two matches. As you see some are from the COSAFA Championships played last year, some are currently part of the U17 National Team and will have an opportunity to learn from the senior team while they prepare for their World Cup qualifiers;” said Dr Ellis. She continued by saying; “we want to see what the following players will bring to the team. We want them to showcase themselves and fight for a spot in the senior team”. Dean Somerset – Manager | Group Brand and Sponsorships: “Sasol proudly congratulates the newly announced Banyana Banyana squad set to face Lesotho in friendly matches at UJ Soweto Campus in Johannesburg. As our reigning WAFCON champions prepare to defend their title, we commend Coach Desiree Ellis and her technical team for their commitment to growing the game by broadening the player pool and introducing fresh talent into the team. “To all the players, both new and experienced, we wish you the very best. This is a team that continues to live the impossible on and off the field, and we have no doubt that you will bring the same passion, resilience, and excellence to these encounters. Sasol will be behind you, South Africa will be behind you—go out there and shine!” Goalkeeepers NAME & SURNAME CLUB PROVINCE 1. Jessica WILLIAMS Badgers FC CAPE TOWN 2. Casey GORDON JVW FC GAUTENG 3. Asa RABALAO Mamelodi Sundowns GAUTENG 4. Mbali NTIMENI Mamelodi Sundowns GAUTENG 5. Matshidiso MASEBE University of Johannesburg GAUTENG 6. Katlego MOLETSANE The University of the Western Cape CAPE TOWN 7. Siphesihle DLAMINI The University of the Western Cape CAPE TOWN 8. Dineo MAGAGULA TS Galaxy MPUMALANGA  Infield players:  NAME & SURNAME POS CLUB 1. Ntando PHAHLA DF University of Pretoria 2.  Portia MASILELA DF University of Johannesburg 3. Bonolo MOKOMA DF JVW FC 4. Yomelelo JACOBS DF TS Galaxy 5. Sikelelwa MHLANGA DF City Lads FC 6. Unathi SIMAYILE DF The University of the Western Cape 7. Yolanda NDULI DF University of Johannesburg 8.  Okuhle SITHOLE MF Durban Ladies FC 9. Mmabatho MOGALE MF The University of the Western Cape 10. Nondumiso MANENGELA MF The University of the Western Cape 11.  Isabella LUDWIG MF Currently not announced 12.  Katlego MALEBANA MF Mamelodi Sundowns FC 13.  Sibongile NTOANE MF TUT -Matsatsantsa FC 14.  Thato MOFOLO MF University of Johannesburg 15.  Kesha HENDRICKS MF University of Fort Hare 16.  Adrielle MIBE MF University of Johannesburg 17.  Katlego MOHALE FW JVW FC 18.  Khwezi KHOZA FW Durban Ladies FC 19. Tshegofatso MOTLOGELWA FW TUT -Matsatsantsa FC 20. Mavis MAIACANE FW Super Strikers FC 21. Nobahle MDELWA FW University of Johannesburg 22. Tanna HOLLIS FW JVW FC

11 February 2025 – The South African U17 Women’s National Team (Bantwana) will assemble from 16 – 22 February 2025 for a one-week training camp ahead of their second round of 2025 FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup qualifiers against Nigeria on 8 March and 15 Match 2025 (home and away). Bantwana will be looking to go all out against the Flamingos of Nigeria when the two sides go head-to-head in the beginning of March 2025 as the youthful South African side aims to qualify for their third FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup. Head Coach Ntombifuthi Khumalo and her assistant, former Banyana Banyana striker Rhoda Mulaudzi, have been touring around the country over the past few weeks looking at players that may have been missed in the system. A few weeks ago, they were in Cape Town and will host open trials this coming Saturday, 15 February 2025 at the SAFA Technical Centre for players based in Gauteng, but who do not play in elite leagues where they would easily be identified by national team selectors. Player selected over this coming weekend will be invited to join the training camp and fight for a spot in the team against the core that beat Gabon 21- 2 on aggregate in the first round of the 2025 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.   MAFUMO Dakalo SAFA Girls Academy MTHEMBU Samekelisiwe JVW KLEINVELDT Chelsey Excelsior/DCV Meiden Academy (Netherlands) MORGAN Naylene SAFA Girls Academy GERBER Holly The Magic Development Program ZIBULA Sphumelele SAFA Girls Academy FOERG Kiara Salt River Blackpool FC KAMWANDE Sethabile Mamelodi Sundowns SIMAMANE Akhona SAFA Girls Academy ZUMA Andiswa Dlala Ntombzane NQOTHANI Anathi Dangerous Heroes SWARTS Micheala Mamelodi Sundowns KHATWANE Rethabile Royal Wizards MBATHA Alwande SAFA Girls Academy PARADZAYI Ntokozo Hallelujah Zebra Forces MPHELO Thoriso JVW Ladies Development MACINGWANA Siyamthanda Cape Town Roses NZUZA Nomfundo SAFA Girls Academy MOLEFE Rethabile SAFA Girls Academy MNTAMBO Gugulethu JVW Ladies Development RAPHANANA Ambani SAFA Girls Academy MAKOALA Dineo Future Stars KHANYE Bontle JVW Ladies Development MOKOENA Busisiwe Mamelodi Sundowns KOCK Leonay SAFA Girls Academy OCTOBER Zoe Spurs WFC HOROK Lilani ETS FC

7 February 2025 – The South African Football Association (SAFA) has noted the turn of events at the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court in the East of Johannesburg on Friday. SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan, the Association’s Chief Financial Officer Gronie Hluyo and Grit Communications Director, Trevor Neethling, appeared briefly before the Palm Ridge Magistrate’s Court on Friday morning, 7 February 2025. However, the matter barely lasted a few minutes and was postponed to 15 August 2025 as three charges on the charge sheet were withdrawn by the State. At the center of the withdrawal are charges that relate to several payments amounting to R888 339,05 that were alleged to have been paid to the SAFA President. As it turns out, the amounts were paid to a President Hotel and not to the SAFA President. This is the reason why the charges were withdrawn, as clearly, the charges were erroneous on the part of the State. The postponement is very long, however, the Association will continue to observe the process. This will also give us an opportunity to fully concentrate on the core business of football. Our U15 Girls and U15 Boys are preparing for the CAF African Schools Championships as COSAFA champions. The U17 Boys are preparing for the CAF Youth Africa Cup of Nations (AFCON) in Morocco while the U17 Girls are gearing up for FIFA World Cup Qualifier preparations. The U20 Girls have their eye on the next round of the FIFA World Cup qualifiers, while the U20 Boys have their sights on the CAF U20 Men’s AFCON in Ivory Coast. Banyana Banyana are continuing their preparations for the defense of their CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in July and have matches against Lesotho this month. Finally, Bafana Bafana are preparing for their 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifiers against Lesotho and Benin next month. SAFA also congratulates five officials who have been selected to attend the regional referee instructors seminar organised by FIFA in Ethiopia/Adis-Ababa from 17 to 21 March 2025. They are: Lufuno Nemagovhani, Abdul Ebrahim, Carlos Henriques, Jerome Damon and Victor Gomes. SAFA will also continue to support the South African football clubs that are flying the country’s flag high on the international stage. Orlando Pirates FC and Mamelodi Sundowns FC are in the quarterfinal stage of the CAF Champions League, while Stellenbosch FC are through to the knockout stage of the CAF Confederations Cup. Mamelodi Sundowns are also playing in the FIFA Club World Cup in the USA in June 2025, all of which augurs well for South African football and our national teams. SAFA will not lose focus on the core business of football and delivering unprecedented success for South African football.

10 February 2025 – Bafana Bafana will host the 2026 FIFA World Cup qualifier against Lesotho at the Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane next month. Coach Hugo Broos’ charges host their COSAFA neighbours in the Limpopo province on Friday, 21 March 2025 and then fly to Benin by charter to face the West Africans in the second qualifier a few days later. The province and the city hosted a press briefing on Monday evening to announce Polokwane as the venue of the match and also used the opportunity to allay fears about the readiness of the pitch to accommodate the crunch FIFA World Cup qualifier. SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan said the Association was happy to continue taking the South African senior men’s national team to different parts of the country, with Polokwane the latest to assume the responsibility. “Hosting this game in Polokwane, Limpopo, is a continuation of our commitment to taking the team to different parts of the country. We hope to see the passionate and packed stadiums we saw in Mangaung, Gqeberha and Cape Town during the team’s unbeaten run in the Africa Cup of Nations qualifiers last year. Now it is Polokwane’s turn to fill up the stadium,” the SAFA President said. Limpopo Premier Dr. Phophi Ramathuba: “This match is not just another fixture on the football calendar, but it is a momentous occasion for our city, our province and of course for our country as we rally behind our boys in their quest to secure a spot in football’s grandest stage (the 2026 FIFA World Cup).” There were initially concerns over the readiness of the pitch after the surface was damaged following a music concert in December last year. Following the media briefing, the provincial government invited members of the media in attendance to inspect the pitch themselves, insisting that the stadium will host its first match of the new year in the coming weeks before welcoming Bafana Bafana and Lesotho. The kick off time and ticketing information will be communicated by SAFA in the coming days.

12 February 2025 – FIFA Council and Confederation of African Football (CAF) Executive Member Isha Johansen paid a courtesy visit to the South African Football Association’s (SAFA) headquarters in Nasrec, south of Johannesburg, on Wednesday afternoon and was welcomed by President Dr Danny Jordaan. It was the former Sierra Leone Football Association President’s first visit to SAFA House, and she was happy to also meet the Association’s CEO Lydia Monyepao. “SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan has been an old, long-time friend, of course, through football. The South African Football Association is a significant federation for all of us when it comes to Africa, not least because, of course, our CAF President Dr Patrice Motsepe is from South Africa. I think South Africa has paved the way over the years in terms of football development,” she said. “They have done some incredible stuff with women’s football development and youth football development. I mean, I don’t know how well you know this, but in 2010, way before I became President of the Sierra Leone Football Association, I actually invited the South African National Under-20 to Sierra Leone because I organized what was called the African International Youth Tournament, where I invited the rest of the world. “We’d just come out of a terrible war, the civil war. All that was known about (Sierra Leone) was the child soldiers and the cutting of the limbs and what have you. So, I organized (the African International Youth Tournament). Dr Danny Jordaan was very, very gracious and he said, ‘OK, we will send our boys, our Under-20 national team’, as did Senegal, as did Liberia, and as did Ghana. We had a fantastic tournament in Sierra Leone. So, I’ve always wanted to come to this federation to say thank you again.” Johansen said leadership comes with its challenges and difficulties, and SAFA is no exception. “We respect leadership as well. In President Danny Jordaan there has been leadership. Of course, we all have our problems, and no single FA president will say that it’s been a smooth ride. But there’s been leadership, there’s something to look up to here in this federation. I come to this building and every single department there has to be is here, which is very admirable. So, yes, it’s basically that you come to a country, and you come and see what the Football Federation is like, what are they are doing and what is the progress report? I was talking to President Jordaan about the youth football development programs and the female development programs, again, which I think you guys have been very, very active on.” Johansen said the trip to SAFA House has been in the works for a long time and arriving in the South of Johannesburg to find SAFA CEO Monyepao holding the front door was a special thrill. “This is my first time here and I’m extremely impressed. It’s even nicer and greater to see a female Secretary General at SAFA. It’s very nice for us, and we’re going places. We spoke about this thing of tokenism, which I will forever be stressing on. Women like us in positions of governance and administration in football, it’s very rare to see. “When we do get there, there’s always this question mark as to whether we’re a token number or whether we deserve to be in that space. So, I can absolutely say with Lydia, she definitely deserves it. She’s very astute and I’m very happy to have met her. We spoke quite a bit about development programs. In particular, I spoke to her and President Jordaan about a gender empowerment initiative using football for reforms, girls in the correctional centers. “This is something that’s going on now with CAF, something I initiated through CAF. It started off in Sierra Leone, bringing coaching license courses to the correctional centers. It started in Sierra Leone, Ghana’s just completed theirs and it’s going to kickstart in Liberia. The plan is for all of Africa, all the member associations, to use it as part of their corporate social responsibility. It’ll be a CAF corporate social responsibility, which in turn should be that of the member associations. I think that’s an extremely interesting, encouraging, and a strong, powerful gender empowerment program for women, young women particularly, in correctional centers. It’s going to be interesting to see how it develops in the coming months, this year, and into the coming years.” Dr Jordaan was happy to welcome the FIFA Council and CAF Executive Member to SAFA House. “It was such a privilege to host Isha and her husband at SAFA House today. These are the conversations that motivate and keep us grounded as we continue to focus on the core business of football, and on working towards success for South African football,” the SAFA President said.

13 February 2025 – The draws for the CAF U17 and U20 Africa Cup of Nations were conducted on Thursday afternoon in Cairo, Egypt, with South Africa placed in Group B in both tournaments. The U17 draw saw South Africa’s  Amajimbos drawn against Burkina Faso, the winners of the UNIFAC tournament currently underway in Central Africa and Egypt in the U17s. “U17 current Head Coach Vela Khumalo, said he was satisfied with the nations drawn but very worried about who will win the tournament in central Africa, to complete Group B of the AFCON. The U17 tournament will take place in Morocco from 30 March – 19 April 2025. Ten spots will be up for grabs to the 2025 FIFA U17 FIFA World Cup, which will take place in Qatar later this year. The U20 draw saw South Africa’s Amajita pitted against Nigeria, Egypt, and Morocco in the tournament to be played from 26 April – 18 May 2025 in Ivory Coast. Speaking to www.safa.net, U20 Head Coach Raymond Mdaka said they have been waiting in anticipation for the draw and Thursday’s outcome helps to prepare for the group stages. Only the four semi-finalists will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U20 World Cup, which will be hosted by Chile from 27 September to 19 October 2025.

14 February 2025 – The South African U17 Men’s National Team (Amajimbos) will begin their preparations for the 2025 U17 CAF AFCON later this month following the draw for the tournament on Thursday afternoon. The South Africa was drawn in Group B in the junior continental showpiece, where 10 nations will qualify for the 2025 FIFA U17 FIFA World Cup to be held in Qatar between 5 -27 November 2025. They will have to get past Burkina Faso, Egypt and the winner of the UNIFFAC region, to book a place in the quarterfinals for automatic qualification for the World Cup. Head Coach Vela Khumalo has called up 42 players for a training camp to be held from 24 -28 February 2025 at the SAFA Technical Centre where the final squad for the 2025 CAF U17 AFCON will be determined. Speaking to www.safa.net, Khumalo said that there was still a missing element to the scintillating squad that has captured many hearts over the two-years of preparations under the FIFA Talent Development Scheme (TDS). “Firstly, we want to express how happy we are to be the third country from the COSAFA region to be going to participate in the 2025 CAF U17 AFCON in Morocco. We were shattered after the COSAFA semifinals in December 2024 where we lost 2-1 to Zambia,” said Khumalo. “We believe we have a great team that has to be seen by the world, and we will be going to the AFCON to ensure that we book a place in the FIFA U17 World Cup. We have called up 42 players to our training camp before deciding on the final squad for the AFCON. We will have a look at other players that may have peaked over the last year, players who may have been on our radar since 2024 and players that we may need to call up to reinforce the team. “We are excited about the prospects of 2025 and the endless possibilities for this group of players. We are also happy with the draw but will be watching the UNIFAC tournament very closely to study our last opponent of Group B.” The 2025 CAF U17 Africa Cup of Nations will be held in Morocco from 30 March – 19 April 2025. 42 men squad: Preliminary Squad AFCON U-17 RADEBE Lwandiso SuperSport United FC HOLDEN Luke Mamelodi Sundowns FC LOSPER Sabrie Cape Town City FC MORAKE Keabetswe Kaizer Chiefs FC LEREMO Junior Rosina Sedibane High School MOKHOBO Sello Harmony Football Academy TAILOR Joshua Cape Town City FC JONES Daunte Cape Town Spurs FC MOSIA Lehlohonolo University of Pretoria FC KOLOTI Khumo SuperSport United FC PAMA Sive Cape Town City FC MOKOKOSI Bokamoso Kaizer Chiefs FC BOOYSEN Hayden Ubuntu Football Academy MZIMELA Khayalethu British Football Academy LESHILO Bokang Mamelodi Sundowns FC MADONDO Ayanda KZN Academy FC FREESE Egan Kaizer Chiefs FC MARTINHUIS Liam Mamelodi Sundowns FC DLEKEDLA Abulele Cape Town City FC MARALETSI Kamohelo Mamelodi Sundowns FC MENDES Steven Hammarby IF (Sweden) MLANGENI Teboho Kaizer Chiefs FC HEYNES Tyrese Cape Town Spurs MHLONGO Obama AmaZulu FC STEVENS Selwyn Mamelodi Sundowns FC MOSS Angus Cape Town Spurs TSHANGELA Lusolwethu Harmony Football Academy SISULU Sithenkosi Cape Town City FC MPHANYA Thabang University of Pretoria FC MSANE Lebogang Mamelodi Sundowns FC MJIKELO Mihlali Cape Town City FC DHLAMINI Lebogang Kaizer Chiefs FC WITBOOI Emile Cape Town City FC BOHLOKO Neo Kaizer Chiefs FC LEBESANE Oageng Harmony Football Academy SEKGOTO Omphemetse Mamelodi Sundowns FC LONZI Sivusiwe Ubuntu Academy FC VAN DER VINT Fagan Cape Town Spurs FC MLONDO Simphiwe Mamelodi Sundowns FC MAZIBUKO Ntando TS Galaxy FC TSENOLI Katleho Grey College SIBANDE Kabelo Mamelodi Sundowns FC