President Cyril Ramaphosa commended Banyana Banyana and Bafana Bafana for their victories in two successive days of Africa’s premier soccer contests, on November 15.
On November 14, Banyana Banyana earned a fourth successive Cosafa Women’s Championship title with a 2-1 victory over Botswana.
On November 13, Bafana Bafana beat Sao Tome and Principe 2-0 in a qualifying game for the 2022 Africa Cup of Nations tournament.
President Ramaphosa said: “Our women’s and men’s national teams have brought great pride and joy to football supporters across our nation.
“Friday the 13th was a day of good fortune for our men’s team.
“Similarly, the victory by Banyana Banyana showcased the competitive passion and talent of our women’s national team.
“The whole country cheered as we shared in a remarkable dual victory,” said the President.
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Bedfordview’s Janine Van Wyk, captain of the women’s team, said she is very proud of Banyana earning their fourth consecutive Cosafa title.
Although she did not play in the final match due to an injury she said the win was a fantastic achievement.
“It just shows we have such depth in the squad because players who hardly get game time stepped up and completed the job without the regular players present,” said the team captain.
Van Wyk is the most capped player in Banyana Banyana.
The soccer enthusiast began playing soccer at the age of six and represented Scaw Metals in Germiston.
She founded a women’s soccer club called JVW FC in 2013 which recently relocated to Jeppe Quondam in Bedfordview.
For more information on the JVW Club, email indira@jvw5.co.za.
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Marietta Lombard (Editor) germistoncitynews@caxton.co.za, or (Journalists) Busi Vilakazi busiv@caxton.co.za , and Lebogang Sekgwama lebogangs@caxton.co.za.