Banyana Banyana veteran defender Noko Matlou says the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title will complement the CAF Africa Player of the Year award she won a few years ago.
In 2008, Matlou became the first South African to be named African Women’s Footballer of the Year. She was followed by Thembi Kgatlana, who grabbed the accolade in 2019.
The 36-year-old, who is the second most capped player (161) behind Janine van Wyk, says the Wafcon title means a lot for her and the team.
“It means a lot because now it goes with the CAF Africa player of the year award I won, so it was very important to win the WAFCON,” she told the media at the O.R International Airport on Tuesday.
“I really want to thank the people of South Africa for the support not only for me but for the whole team. When you do well for the team, you always find love, so for me, it doesn’t mean that if I was part of the team that qualified for the World Cup, then it’s automatic that I will be part of the team that gets selected to the tournament.
“So, I have to work hard because remember there are young players that are coming and are pushing us so hard. So, we also have to push ourselves to another level so that we make it difficult for them to be in the team,” she said.
“It’s been a long journey. I have to concentrate on my team, so I will see later what is in store for me.”
RELATED STORY: Banyana captain leaves Milan
