Banyana Banyana legend Janine van Wyk is set to make her return and will be named in the South African squad to face DR Congo in two 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifiers this month.
Coach Desiree Ellis’ squad for the qualifiers will be announced in the coming days, and the two games will serve as a send-off for Van Wyk, who will end her glittering career after the games.
Van Wyk has 183 international caps during her illustrious career, and if Ellis selects her for the two matches, she will become the continent’s most capped player, male or female.
Banyana Banyana will play the DR Congo in the first leg away from home on October 25, 2023, before hosting the Congolese a few days later in South Africa. Van Wyk admitted that calling it quits on the game she adores has not been easy.
“This has been by far one of the hardest decisions of my life. This decision has always been one I have wanted to make on MY terms. And this is my time to say goodbye to football as a player while I watch the next generation shine,” she said.
“It has been my greatest honour and privilege to play this beautiful game, in particular playing for my Country, which has and always will be the greatest gift football has ever offered me.”
Ellis told Van Wyk that she “deserves her flowers” because she was an inspiration, an icon, and a huge voice for South African football in general.
“There are so many superlatives that I can use to describe Janine. I think she’s an absolute legend of the game, not just in South Africa, but also on the African continent as well as globally,” the Banyana Banyana coach said.
“She has led the team at Olympic Games and the World Cup. She has given her all every time she has stepped onto the field. She loved representing this national team and has always played with her heart on her sleeve. She’s an absolute role model to all the kids out there. And I wish her everything of the best in her new adventure.
“I pray that she’s just as successful as her career was. Many blessings to her. I think the legacy she’s left behind has been the hard work she’s put in, always making sure that she’s in absolute good shape to come and represent the national team, and always giving her best.
“She has also created opportunities for others with the club JVW. I’m wishing her once again all the best and blessings in her new adventure.”
Photo by Samuel Shivambu/BackpagePix
