There will be no equalling of the African record of 184 caps for Janine Van Wyk this week, after the former Banyana Banyana captain left the camp ahead of Monday’s second leg game against the DRC.
Van Wyk was included in Desiree Ellis’ squad with an opportunity to break Ahmed Hassan’s record of the most capped – men or women – player in Africa, with SAFA surprisingly announcing her inclusion even before the squad’s official announcement, and stating she would retire after.
But the first leg of the Olympic qualifier proved to be a tougher fixture than perhaps expected, and Van Wyk was an unused substitute in the 1-1 draw.
This meant that she could not break Hassan’s record, and at most could equal it, if used in the second leg.
A distraught Van Wyk shared her frustrations on social media with a cryptic post on Friday.
Meanwhile, Ellis confirmed Van Wyk’s absence.
“Janine is not here, she is mentally not OK with what happened in DR Congo because we didn’t give the cap,” Ellis was quoted on centrecircle.online.
“There is still an opportunity for her getting that cap. We have games coming up with the final qualifier for the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations next month.”
But with Van Wyk stating her plans to retire after the DRC tie, it is now uncertain if she will get that opportunity.
