Banyana Banyana co-captains Janine van Wyk, Refiloe Jane and Andile Dlamini have sent messages of support to their colleagues who will commence the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championships against Angola this afternoon (15:30) in Gqeberha.
South Africa are drawn in Group A with Angola, Mauritius and Mozambique.
The regional tournament squad comprises an exciting 23-member squad who have come through the development ranks. However, few of the players have donned the Banyana jersey before.
This is what the co-captains had to say; “I would like to take this opportunity to wish our fellow teammates all the best for the upcoming COSAFA Cup tournament. I know some of you is for the first time that you are representing your country, and I would like to encourage you to embrace this moment and make the most of this journey that you are in. And remember to always give your best and wear your green and gold jersey with absolute honour and pride. Good luck,” said Janine Van Wyk.
“I just want to wish our fellow colleagues the best of luck as they kick off the COSAFA Championship in PE (Port Elizabeth). Make the country proud,” those were words of US Sassuolo midfielder Refiloe Jane.
Meanwhile, Andile Dlamini, who walked away with the WAFCON Goalkeeper of the Tournament, added: “I would like to wish the COSAFA team all the best of luck. May God be with you, do your best and let God do the rest.”
The U17 National Women’s head coach Simphiwe Dludlu will take charge of Banyana at the COSAFA Cup tournament as coach “Desiree Ellis, and her regulars have other commitments elsewhere.”
“This is a very big opportunity afforded to me by the Association and the best Coach in Africa, Desiree Ellis. I am glad that I will get a platform to learn more while continuing to do the work I have done at the U17 and U20 levels, where we ensure that we have a big pool of players,” said Dludlu after the Banyana assignment
