‘This has been by far one of the toughest choices of my life,’ mentioned Van Wyk.
Following an illustrious profession with Banyana Banyana, defender Janine van Wyk is about to don the nationwide crew jersey for the very last time, as she calls time on her soccer profession.
With 183 caps for the senior nationwide ladies’s crew, Van Wyk is the longest serving Banyana participant, with her nationwide crew profession having begun in 2005.
The former Banyana captain missed out on last 12 months’s historic second when Banyana beat Morocco to elevate the Caf Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) for the primary time, although she was a part of the squad and performed within the group phases in opposition to Botswana. Van Wyk additionally missed out on the crew that competed on the previous Fifa Women’s World Cup – the place Banyana made it the last 16.
Van Wyk now returns to the crew for the 2024 Caf Women’s Olympics qualifiers in opposition to DR Congo this month, with the remainder of the squad set to be introduced within the subsequent coming days.
The defender says calling it quits to the gorgeous sport was very tough, however reveals that it’s time to say goodbye.
“This has been by far one of the hardest decisions of my life. This decision has always been one I have wanted to make on my terms. And this is my time to say goodbye to football as a player while I watch the next generation shine,” Van Wyk instructed Safa.net.
“It has been my greatest honour and privilege to play this beautiful game, in particular playing for my country, which has and always will be the greatest gift football has ever offered me.”
‘Absolute legend’
Banyana head coach Desiree Ellis described Van Wyk as legend and says she has all the time given her all for Banyana.
“There are so many superlatives that I can use to describe Janine. I think she’s an absolute legend of the game, not just in South Africa, but also on the African continent as well as globally,” the Banyana mentor.
“She has led the team at Olympic Games and the World Cup. She has given her all every time she has stepped onto the field. She loved representing this national team and has always played with her heart on her sleeve. She’s an absolute role model to all the kids out there. And I wish her everything of the best in her new adventure.”
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