Banyana Banya’s Janine van Wyk ended her career on a high as South Africa saw off Burkina Faso 2-0 to qualify for the 2024 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations.
Not only did defending Champions South Africa qualify for the tournament, Van Wyk also won her 185th international cap, making her the most capped African international of all time as she moved ahead of Egyptian midfielder Ahmed Hassan.
Van Wyk, who played her first international back in 2005 was only on the field for seven minutes before being withdrawn in an early tactical switch.
Speaking to AFP after the game the veteran defender said: “I am deeply grateful to all those who helped me during my long career. I could not have achieved this amazing feat without the help of many others.
“It is important for senior players like me to accept that younger players are seeking selection. We must develop them, make them feel at home, then we must step aside,” she said.
South Africa, who drew their first leg of the qualifier against Burkina Faso 1-1, saw off their opponents, courtesy of a Linda Motlhalo penalty and a late Nicole Michael strike.
In seeing off Burkina Faso, Desiree Ellis’ Banyana Banyana became the second side, after hosts Morocco, to qualify for the tournament. The remainder of the qualifying games are scheduled to be played on Tuesday. The remaining games are as follows:
Namibia v Ghana (1-3 agg)
Congo v Tunisia (2-5 agg)
DR Congo v Equatorial Guinea (1-1 agg)
Botswana v Kenya (1-1 agg)
Egypt v Senegal (0-4 agg)
Guinea v Mali (2-7 agg)
Togo v Tanzania (0-3 agg)
Zambia v Angola (6-0 agg)
Cape Verde v Nigeria (0-5 agg)
