Young JVW shot stopper Casey Gordon is excited at the prospect of being around the Banyana Banyana ‘big girls’ after she was named in the South African Senior Women’s National team to face Malawi in two friendly matches next month (5 & 8 March 2025).
The 18-year-old was part of the squad that took on Lesotho in two fixtures with the bulk of the team made up of U17 and U20 players. They won both games and she played in the second match.
But now she has been retained for the upcoming fixtures vs the Scorchers of Malawi and will be training alongside “big girls,” the likes of Thembi Kgatlana, Hilda Magaia, Noko Matlou, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Bongeka Gamede, Noxolo Cesane and Amogelang Motau, among others.
“It’s incredible I was very excited when I saw the call up. Obviously, I’m also nervous because that’s the big girls, it’s the real Banyana Banyana side and I am excited to see what comes of it,” said an elated Gordon.
The former Sasol League goalkeeper for the JVW Sapphires, was promoted to the first team in the Hollywoodbets Super League side, the Blue Diamonds, in July last year to work alongside the experienced number one goal minder and Banyana Banyana star Kaylin Swart. Gordon can’t wait to be in the same space with her teammate and another South African goalkeeping great, Andile Dlamini of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
“This is extremely big. We obviously worked together at the goalkeeper training camp last month, but I think this is going to be exciting, I have a lot to learn from them,” added Gordon.
The young goalkeeper’s star has been rising over the last few years.
Last year she was named the Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the annual Engen Cup and has also been capped at both the U17 and U20 Women’s National team level.
She was in the Bantwana squad that missed out on the FIFA World Cup when they fell to Ethiopia 3-0 on aggregate in February 2024 – they lost the first leg away 3-0 and played to a goalless draw at home.
In November last year, she helped Basetsana (U20 Women’s National team) to a second-place finish in the COSAFA U20 Women’s Championship that was held in South Africa.
Just this past weekend, with the absence of Swart, she was thrown into the deep end, getting her first start for the club when they faced the enterprising University of Fort Hare in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
“I was very nervous coming into the game, but I think I’ve prepared well, and the coaches obviously showed their support. The team was behind me, and they gave me the confidence to perform on the day,” said Gordon.
Despite conceding two goals, she was at her best and saved the team on numerous occasions, with the match ending in a dramatic 2-all draw following late goals by Nompumelelo Nyandeni and Boitumelo Rasehlo of JVW.
“I think conceding goals is always tough for goalkeepers, but I think we just need to focus on the good parts, the good saves that we made, the good distribution that we have. Overall, I think it was a very good game, and I think I played very well. I made a few saves, obviously there are a few mistakes that we will work on,” concluded Gordon.
Her coach at club level, the legendary Janine van Wyk, who retired from national team after a career spanning over a decade and with a record 185 caps, had this to say about the call up.
“We are ecstatic for Casey to be called up to the South African Senior Women National team, she showcased herself at junior level, she’s showcased herself at Hollywoodbets. She’s a shot stopper, she’s a dreamer and is hungry to succeed and you can see it at the training field, you can also see it when she’s playing and I’m sure with some time she will be the nation’s number one,” said Van Wyk.
JVW will not be in action this weekend and Gordon is looking forward to meeting up with the “big girls” when the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana squad assemble for their training camp in Johannesburg on Monday (31 March 2025).
By Matlhomola Morake
