Banyana Banyana’s co-captain, Janine van Wyk, is having a whale of a time at Ergotelis WFC in Greece’s topflight women’s football league.
The decorated central defender joined the European outfit in September last year and has played all seven matches of the season, helping the team to the summit of the table in Group B following five wins and a draw.
Ergotelis is lethal upfront with 33 goals scored since the beginning of the season and are solid at the back with five goals conceded.
This past weekend (Sunday, 22 January) they travelled 16 hours one way to face Doxa Pigadakia, winning 5-1 to cement their position at the top on 19 points, three ahead of the second-placed AO Rethymniyakis Enosis Athliton, otherwise known as REA.
In Group A, defending league champions, PAOK, has a 100 percent win record – seven out of seven, to lead the log standings on 21 points – eight ahead of Trikala 2011 who are second.
CentreCircle.online had a chat with Van Wyk about the game, life in Greece and more:
Congratulations on your win – your sixth of the season. How have things been going?
Everything has been going well for the team in terms of results. We have been in very good form and of course enjoying the winning streak for the moment, hopefully it continues for a while.
You seem to have a formidable squad, winning by big margins. Is it as easy as it appears?
We have a strong squad with five Internationals that were brought in this season to strengthen the side, whereas the other teams haven’t invested much in their squads just yet. Therefore, we seem to be slightly stronger than most, although not as easy as it seems.
How many games have you played so far, and how are you feeling?
I’ve featured 90min in all the games so far and I feel healthy and strong.
I know it’s early days, but top of the table after seven games, do you think the league title is in sight?
We are aiming for the top spot of course in the Southern Group of the league as it is divided into two, with the Northern group being the other. Finishing top of the table wouldn’t mean winning the league just yet as the top three in each region go into play offs to find the overall winner of the Greek League which Ergotelis has never won. So, we are working hard and strong to make history.
Which team in your opinion could be a challenge to the title?
In the Southern group I would say the contenders are Rethymniakis Enosis and OFI and the biggest thread in the overall league are P.O.A.K. who seem to have won the league multiple times.
During your time in Greece, what has been outstanding for you – personally and football-wise? And are you happy you made the move?
Personally, I have made some good friends and been having a good time exploring different and beautiful Greek Islands. The football side has been very challenging in terms of the standard of the game here. The women’s game is still being neglected in Greece with very little investment and exposure to the league, which to me is mind blowing considering that women’s football has been a hot topic globally and everyone wants to grow and develop their local leagues and National Teams. So much more can be done here which makes it difficult for me to fully enjoy the game in Greece.
And how would you compare the league to the Hollywoodbets Super League?
I think the Hollywoodbets League is slightly ahead of the Greek League in terms of marketing and exposure of the league, facilities in terms of stadiums and locker rooms are better and the competition between certain teams. However, the Greek League overall is probably of a similar standard in terms of the football that is played.
Speaking of the Hollywoodbets Super League, what is your reaction to Vasco da Gama being sold to/bought by TS Galaxy?
I think it’s fantastic that PSL teams are investing in the growth of women’s football – having the capital to invest in players that can earn money from what they love to do. However, with these teams coming into the league, perhaps new rules need to be put in place to avoid destabilizing of other teams, and to keep a competitive edge across the league structure.
At this point in time, I do feel sorry for all the Vasco players that have to find new clubs to join, which is difficult in a city that has limited teams participating in the Hollywoodbets Super League. I truly hope that these players find clubs that they can be part of and not quit the game because of lack of opportunity to grow. Where possible, I would also advise some of them to move out of the province if need be and if approached for their services by other clubs within the league.
With three new teams in the league – Copperbelt Ladies, Tuks Ladies and TS Galaxy Queens – how do you see the 2023 season?
I feel each year will become more and more competitive which is very exciting for the growth of our women’s game. It will be an exciting 2023 season for all teams.
JVW finished in 4th place two seasons in a row, can we see an improvement in 2023?
It’s difficult to say as we have lost quite a few key players which means we have brought in some of our top development players with a couple of new signings from other clubs to reform the squad. It will take time to rebuild the team again, but we will sure be competing as best as we can and continue being a nuisance to our opponents.
By Matlhomola Morake
