It’s been 13 months she last kicked a ball for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, and South Africa’s captain Refiloe Jane says it feels good to be back.
The midfielder last represented the African Champions in the goalless draw against the Super Falcons of Nigeria – which eliminated the South Africa from the qualification for the 2024 Paris Olympic Games. Desiree Ellis’ charges had lost 1-0 in the first leg in away Nigeria.
After this fixture Jane took time off from the game while contemplating her future as she had parted ways with her employers Sassuolo in Italy.
The Banyana skipper then underwent an operation to fix an injury that just refused to go away.
“It’s been a while being away from the team, I’m happy to be back, with all the sacrifices, all the hard work of trying to get back into the game. Everything has paid off and I’m really happy and humbled to be selected again to be part of this amazing group,” an elated Jane told the media at Banyana Banyana’s training ground.
“I’m happy with the way things have gone so far with the help that I got from different doctors, different physios, different trainers, and also my team back at home. To be where I am today it wasn’t easy but with the help from everyone including my family it has really helped and at the moment, I feel really good, I feel really happy to be doing what I do best, so I am just glad to be part of the team again.
Jane is part of the Banyana squad that will feature in a Tri-Nations tournament alongside Botswana and Zambia as part of preparations for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in July this year. All three countries have qualified.
The midfielder returned to action recently in the colours of TS Galaxy Queens which campaigns in the Hollywoodbets Super League, the elite level of South African women’s football league.
Banyana take on Botswana on Wednesday, 28 May 2025 at the Lucas Moripe Stadium at 3pm.
They will next face Zambia on Tuesday, 3 June at the same venue and at the same time.
“Playing the two friendlies firstly with Botswana and then with Zambia will be a good test for the team. We’ve got players who have been out for some time, myself included, and it will give us a chance to see how far we’ve come and what we have missed and what more we can still contribute, and it couldn’t have come at a better time than this one – there’s a few days to go now before the tournament starts so we are hoping with the preparations that we get we’ll be able to get to that standard,” added Jane.
Meanwhile Ellis will have a wide choice of players to select from after Scotland-based Linda Motlhalo was the last player to report for national team duty on Tuesday (27 May 2025) as they had their final match of the season on Sunday.
Banyana are expected to hold their second and final training camp mid-June as coach Ellis prepares to name her final squad for the tournament.
The WAFCON runs from 5-26 July 2025 in Morocco and South Africa are the defending champions.
By Matlhomola Morake
