After 17 months sidelined by injury, University of Pretoria and Banyana Banyana forward Wendy Shongwe has made a long-awaited return to action.
The 22-year-old has not kicked a ball since last year (Saturday, 9 March 2024) when she suffered an anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) injury in a Hollywoodbets Super League fixture against the University of Fort Hare. Prior to the incident, she had scored two goals in the game, helping Amatuks win the Varsity Derby 2-1 on the day.
She played her first official match on Sunday (24 August 2025), coming on as a second half substitute for Zanile Khoza in the 73rd minute. So huge was her impact that she was named Player of the Match after she hit the upright just two minutes into the game, and also provided the assist that led to the 1-0 win against First Touch Ladies.
Speaking exclusive to CentreCircle.online, Shongwe was over the moon about her return to football.
“It feels good to be back. It has been a long journey and sometimes frustrating because as a player all you want is to be on the field. At times when you see the team struggle you don’t feel good because there is nothing you can do, but I am glad I am back and I will take it one step at a time, one game at a time. There is a still a long way to go and I will need to continue working hard so I can progress, but I won’t put myself under pressure. I just want to thank the team for all the support I received during my recovery period, I would not have done without them,” said an elated Shongwe.
She adds that she had to undergo an operation in September last year and keep hope alive during the time she was on sidelines.
“I love football, and I have always wanted to play football so I had to have the belief that I will return to the game. I had to be careful not rush back because that would have set me back even longer – hence I followed the recovery process correctly to ensure I come back ready. Also, the support from the medical team, the coach, my partner and other players played a key role in remaining patient,” explains the forward.
Shongwe returns to a team that has had its ups and downs and finds itself outside the top-placed teams – last season they finished eighth on the log standings. They are currently 10th on the table with 23 points after 20 games. They won six, drew five and lost nine.
“We are into the second half of the season, and things have not been going very well but there is still a lot to play for with the remainer of the games, so I am confident we will finish stronger,” added Shongwe.
With her long lay-off, the Amatuks player missed a whole batch of Banyana Banyana matches. She last donned the national team jersey in October 2023 during the WAFCON qualifier in the home and away fixtures against the DR Congo – especially after she had already established herself as one of the regulars in the squad.
She was the only uncapped player in the Banyana Banyana team that contested the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Shongwe recently missed out on the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco in July, where South Africa finished in fourth place.
But for now, her mind is still far from the national team as she tries to establish herself again at club level.
“Of course, everyone wants to play for their country, but it is still too early to even think about that – right now, I just want to focus on my team and myself and anything else will follow. As I said, I don’t want to pressurize myself because for me to return to the national team I must do well at club level first – hence the focus has to be at the club and then I will take it from there,” concluded Shongwe.
Her coach Maud Khumalo should be delighted that she has one of her assets back in action.
Amatuks host Richmond United Ladies on Sunday (31 August 2025) and the Tshwane outfit will be hoping that they can continue from where they left off against First Touch Ladies, again with a little help from Shongwe.
By Matlhomola Morake
