Banyana Banyana stalwart Janine Van Wyk is set to enter into the history books of African football, for both males and females, following the announcement on her imminent return to the national team.
Van Wyk, who missed out on the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup in Australia and New Zealand due to injury, is set to return to the Banyana squad for the last two games before she calls time on her illustrious career.
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The South African Football Association (SAFA) has announced that the former Banyana captain will be named in the team's 2024 CAF Women's Olympic qualifying games against Democratic Republic of Congo this month, which will serve as send-off matches before she hangs up her boots.
Van Wyk has made a remarkable 183 international appearances for Banyana and if she features in both matches against DRC, she will become the most capped player in African international football history, for males or females with 185 caps.
Egyptian legend Ahmed Hassan currently holds the record with 184 caps for the men's team.
Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis, SAFA President Danny Jordaan and CEO Lydia Monyepao all paid a glowing tribute to Van Wyk.
"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," Ellis said on SAFA's official website.
"She has led the team at the 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," she said.
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Jordaan hailed Van Wyk's contribution in shaping Banyana to be a force to be reckoned with today.
"Today, Banyana Banyana are continental champions and also achieved a historic second round milestone in the FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand. All these epic stories and many more could not have been achieved without the massive contribution of this giant," Jordaan said.
"As a former Banyana Banyana player," Monyepao chipped in. "I can relate to what Janine has gone through and arriving at her decision.
“This is a fitting tribute to one of the country’s football giants on and off the football pitch. Janine has run her race, and what a journey and story she has given us. Her story is what legends are made of," she added.
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