Banyana Banyana captain, Janine van Wyk, had a perfect start to life in the United States, with a 2-0 victory on her debut for Houston Dash this weekend.
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The 30-year-old secured a move to the National Women's Soccer League earlier this year after her performances for the South African national team managed to put her on the map. She played 90 minutes as the season got underway against Chicago Red Stars.
Van Wyk started at centre back alongside fellow new signing, Bruna Benites and will have been happy with the clean sheet and victory, as her side went to the top of the NWSL table.
Speaking to SAFA.net after her debut, the former SASOL League player said, “Playing my first game for my new club was the realisation of a dream come true. I am glad everything went well for me, I was quite nervous but ready at the same time just before kick off because I knew I had to put up a good performance to show my worth, but also to give myself a good start for the season ahead.
“I knew that I would start because the whole week at training I was being used as a starting player so I could prepare myself mentally for the game. I was very excited to know the coach also has trust in me. Now I am looking forward to all the upcoming games, I am just glad that the first one is out of the way.”
On the topic of the actual game itself, the Banyana star said, “I was so excited. The moment Rachel Daly scored that beauty of a goal in the last few minutes of the game gave me goose bumps and I knew it would lead us to victory. I couldn’t contain my excitement and the entire team was just too happy with the victory in our first game of the season. For me it was an extra special one because you always want to start every project on a positive note, now I am hoping this Saturday will be the same story too.”
