Janine Van Wyk, the South African Football Association (SAFA) and Banyana
Banyana stalwart, is set to make history in African football for both
males and females.
Van Wyk, who had missed out on the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup due to
injury, will return to the national team for the last two games before her
retirement. The SAFA has announced that Van Wyk will be part of the team
for the 2024 CAF Women’s Olympic qualifying games against Democratic
Republic of Congo this month.
If she features in both matches, she will become the most capped player
in African international football history with 185 caps, surpassing the
current record held by Egyptian legend Ahmed Hassan with 184 caps.
Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis, SAFA President Danny Jordaan and CEO
Lydia Monyepao all paid tribute to Van Wyk.
Ellis said, “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.” Jordaan
added, “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.”
Monyepao, a former Banyana Banyana player, said, “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.” Van Wyk has made an impressive
183 international appearances for Banyana and has served as a role model
for many aspiring footballers.
Her impending return to the national team for the last two games is a
fitting tribute to her illustrious career and will surely be remembered
for many years to come.
