Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk reflects on 2016 and looks ahead to 2017 in her exclusive column in SoccerClub magazine.

It’s been a rollercoaster year for me and the team. We’ve experienced so many highs and lows, but I believe it was a fantastic year of football. I have continued to learn, especially coming to terms with how to remain positive, despite failure, and to continue moving forward, no matter the obstacles in my path.

This year has taught me a lot about myself and the team and I feel we have become stronger and wiser as a result of the challenges we faced in 2016.

As a professional, there is no time to waste and I have set myself some major goals for next year. I’m putting all my energy into taking my fitness to the next level as I have realised I’m now slightly older than some of my opponents. I want to continue to give 100% for Banyana and I’m working on my game to keep myself in the best possible shape to compete.

My wish for the national team in 2017 is that we find the back of the net on a regular basis. Banyana have done extremely well in keeping possession of the ball, but the only way we will qualify for major competitions and move up the rankings is by scoring goals and winning games.

That is something this side is focusing on, so hopefully our hard work will soon be rewarded.

This year also saw our coach, Vera Pauw, leave the set-up. It’s been hard to adapt to the new coach, Desiree Ellis, but any footballer worth their salt adjusts quickly to any coach and their methods.

My personal wish for the new year? To get a professional contract to play overseas, either in the US or Europe.

– Ed’s note: Since this column, Van Wyk has signed a deal with MLS outfit Houston Dash.

-– This article first appeared in Issue 75 of SoccerClub magazine