Banyana captain offered ‘chance’ to go to World Cup at petrol station

While the nation is firmly behind Banyana Banyana, its players are not yet instantly recognisable to all South Africans, as the team’s captain Janine van Wyk discovered when she went to put some petrol in her car.

Van Wyk tweeted that, after asking for petrol, the attendant told her about a giveaway which offers those who enter a chance to “go to France with the Banyana Banyana team”.

According to Van Wyk, she diplomatically answered: “Thanks, but I’m already going.”

READ MORE: Banyana Banyana give SA reason to smile

This prompted the impressed attended to ask if she had won already, to which she replied: “Yep, a VIP ticket.”

Van Wyk’s tweet includes a picture of herself beside two petrol attendants. Whether or not they know that she is the captain of Banyana Banyana at this point is unclear.

Fans responding to the tweet found it hilarious and also complimented Van Wyk for showing herself to have a great sense of humour following what transpired.

In November last year, the national women’s football side qualified for the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France after defeating Mali 2-0 in the semi-finals.

They missed out on winning the African Women’s Cup of Nations (Awcon) cup in December last year after narrowly losing to Nigeria on penalties.

They are currently ranked at number 48 in the world according to Fifa, higher than their male counterparts Bafana Bafana, who are currently ranked at 74.

READ MORE: Banyana is doing the country proud

The Women’s World Cup will take place in France from June 7 this year and the final will be played on July 7.

The final match will be played at Parc Olympique Lyonnais, a venue with a capacity of 58,000 in the Lyon suburb of Décines.

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