South Africa’s first CAF African Player of the Year, Noko Matlou, has revealed the Banyana Banyana teammate who holds a special place as her all-time favourite.
Matlou, 39, recently retired from international football following the two-game friendly matches against Malawi a fortnight ago. The Banyana stalwart featured in the first international friendly, in which the SA secured a 3-0 win over Malawi at UJ Campus in Soweto.
Matlou retired with 174 caps. She is the second-highest capped player for Banyana, with Janine van Wyk topping the list with 185 appearances.
In addition, Matlou was the first SA player to win the CAF Women’s Player of the Year in 2008. She was part of the Banyana squad that won the WAFCON tournament in 2022.
The experienced striker-cum-defender also represented Banyana at the Olympic Games on three occasions [2012, 2016, and 2019], and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in 2019 and 2023.
WHO IS NOKO MATLOU’S FAVOURITE BANYANA BANYANA PLAYER
Matlou named Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini as her favourite teammate in the national women’s football team set-up.
The player spoke during an interview with the SA Football Journalists’ Association [SAFJA] on Thursday afternoon.
“When I look back, we still have good players on the team. But not that I’m undermining other players,” said Matlou. “However, we can look at players like Refiloe Jane, Thembi Kgatlana, and Andile Dlamini.
“For me, I can say that Andile Dlamini is my favourite Banyana player I have ever played with. This is because when I consider the things she has achieved as a player, such as being the African Goalkeeper of the Year, it speaks volumes. I will go with Andile.”
Matlou is currently plying her trade in Spain for the Primera Federacion club CP Cacereno Femenino. She joined the side in August 2024 on a one-year contract.
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