Long serving Banyana Banyana defender, Janine van Wyk has moved quickly to dismiss rumours that she has retired from the national team.
This comes after she withdrew from South Africa’s preliminary 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup squad of 36, which will be trimmed down to 23 closer to the start of the tournament.
“I have sustained an injury that I personally feel would impact my chances of performing at the highest level that is required to make the World Cup squad. I have to turn down the call-up with a heavy heart, but also knowing that I am doing what is best for the team,” Van Wyk told www.safa.net after the squad was announced.
Speaking from Europe where she is on holiday after parting ways with her Greek club, Ergotelis WFC, Van Wyk says it was important to weigh her options.
“Definitely a hard pill to swallow after making an extremely tough decision to withdraw from the preliminary squad. As a long serving member and leader of the national team, it’s important to have the best and strongest squad representing the country at the World Cup,” she wrote on her twitter page.
Post the World Cup, she is expected to run out for JVW in the Hollywoodbets Super League – a team she led to promotion into the South African elite women’s football in 2019.
The Blue Diamond are currently fourth on the table with 33 points, nine behind log leaders, the University of the Western Cape (UWC), after 16 rounds of matches.
Sundowns Ladies are second on 41, followed in third place by TS Galaxy Queen on 37.
The experienced player, who was once on the books of overseas-based clubs Houston Dash (USA), Fortuna Hjorring (Denmark) and Glasgow City (Scotland), needs just two matches to become the most capped player – male or female – on the continent.
She is currently sitting on 183 appearances for country, and still has her eyes set on breaking that record.
“Many believe that I have hung my boots and retired, but those that know me would know that I don’t easily give up on achieving my goals. There still one last thing I am out of accomplish before I move on, BREAKING RECORDS,” she said.
Van Wyk has wished the team well as they embark on a very tough assignment.
“I have no doubt it is going to be difficult but I believe in this team and will support them all the way. This is a very crucial period for both the technical team and the players as the squad will have to be trimmed down to 23 and I urge every South African to show love to those who won’t make it, and to put their weight behind those that will be flying the flag in Australia and New Zealand,” added Van Wyk.
“I wish all the best to all of them and will be watching each and every match and shouting at the top of my voice. But I also have hope that I will meet the team before their departure and personally wish them luck as they will be representing all of us at the World Cup.”
Van Wyk has been ever-present in the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana fold, since making her debut in 2005 in the clash against their nemesis Nigeria, and she scored the only goal of the match as South Africa defeated the West Africans for the first time ever – knocking the Super Falcons out of the 2012 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (formerly known as African Women’s Championship).
The JVW founder has represented her country at two Olympic Games (London 2012 and Rio 2016), captaining the team in the latter tournament.
Three years later in France, (2019) she became the first woman player to wear the captain’s armband in a FIFA Women’s World Cup match.
Alongside Refiloe Jane and Andile Dlamini as co-captains, she lifted the 2022 CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations, their maiden continental title.
The defender would have been one of four players remaining from the 2012 squad that played in the London Olympic Games together with Jane, Noko Matlou and Robyn Moodaly.
The African Champions will open their World Cup account against Sweden on 23 July in Wellington, New Zealand, with Argentina next on the list five days later (28 July) and round off the group stages against Italy on 2 August.
Before then, Banyana Banyana will lock horns with Central Americans, Costa Rica in an international friendly match on 15 July in New Zealand as part of World Cup preparations.
BANYANA BANYANA PRELIMINARY 2023 FIFA WOMEN’S WORLD CUP SQUAD:
Goalkeepers: Andile Dlamini, Kaylin Swart, Regirl Ngobeni, Kebotseng Moletsane, Asa Rabalao
Defenders: Asanda Hadebe, Karabo Dhlamini, Cimone Sauls, Lebohang Ramalepe, Tiisetso Makhubela, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Bambanani Mbane, Bongeka Gamede
Midfielders: Thubelihle Shamase, Kholosa Biyana, Thalea Smidt, Refiloe Jane, Sibulele Holweni, Linda Motlhalo, Nomvula Kgoale, Robyn Moodaly, Amogelang Motau
Forwards: Nicole Michael, Gabriela Salgado, Sphumelele Shamase, Jermaine Seoposenwe, Noxolo Cesane, Melinda Kgadiete, Nthabiseng Majiya, Lelona Daweti, Wendy Shongwe, Ntombifikile Ndlovu Hildah Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana
By Matlhomola Morake
