Football icon; Janine van Wyk shares her plans of retirement

With a career spanning over two decades, SA football icon and JVW Football Club co-founder Janine van Wyk recently discussed her retirement and future endeavours with Bedfordview and Edenvale News.

She retires as the most-capped player in African football history, with 185 appearances.

“Honestly speaking, it is something I am very proud of. I have worked extremely hard and sacrificed a lot to reach a level where I am now completely satisfied and fulfilled with a lengthy career.

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“It wasn’t easy, but I pulled through and reached the top,” said Van Wyk on her milestone.

The 36-year-old played her final game with Bayana Bayana on December 4, where they secured a place in the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2024.

It was a moment she described as filled with mixed emotions.

“I was afraid I might have made a mistake by leaving the game completely, but in the next breath, I felt content with my decision, knowing I had accomplished everything I ever wanted playing the game. Today, I feel like I made the right decision,” Van Wyk said.

“I find it hard to see myself live a life away from football. It’s all I have known my whole life, so I am finding ways to stay in the game and coach football. Be a mentor and share my experiences and knowledge with the next generation.”

Her dream has always been to see women’s football rise and for women to be allowed the opportunity to showcase their talents.

Van Wyk has been a trailblazer throughout her career, from captaining SA to their historic Women’s Africa Cup of Nations victory to representing her country on the global stage at the Olympics and the World Cup.

“Captaining SA to victory at the Africa Cup of Nations in 2022 was the pinnacle of my career, leading the team and making history by winning our first African Cup of Nations title.

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“It was an incredible moment for not only myself and the team but for women’s football in SA.”

She said the win opened many doors for players to play and make a career abroad. And that people who never supported women’s football started taking interest.

“It was the stepping stone to many things and one of the top highlights in my career.

“I think it’s a dream for any top athlete to represent their country in a World Cup and the Olympic Games.

“Not all top athletes can say they have achieved this. When I say I have achieved and accomplished all in football, it is because I have been able to participate in these two major competitions and UEFA Champions League matches. I count myself privileged,” said Van Wyk.

She established JVW because there were little to no opportunities for girls who dreamed of playing the game.

Throughout Van Wyk’s career, she has played for teams like the Springs Home Sweeper, Moroka Swallows, Palace Super Falcons, Houston Dash, and Glasgow City.

Houston Dash was her first professional contract at age 29.

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On being a player-coach at JVW FC and the challenges she faced balancing her responsibilities on and off the pitch, she said, “It was the most difficult part towards the end of my career. Being a club owner and player was not easy.

“It was a lonely and confusing place to be, and having to make decisions on what’s best for the club but also playing at the time and bonding with teammates was not easy to deal with,” she said.

Her message to aspiring players is, “My motto in life is ‘Nothing worth having comes easy’. No one will achieve your dreams for you.

“If you want something, you must be ready to work hard, work extra and make many sacrifices to reach the top.

“You must be ready to deal with setbacks and failures along your journey and see it as fuel to be successful.

“Success doesn’t happen overnight.”