Former Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk has suggested that Thembi Kgatlana’s withdrawal from the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) squad will not be a major blow.
Banyana will be heading to Morocco in July to defend their Wafcon crown. However, they will have to do it without arguably their best player, Kgatlana.
The 29-year-old speedy forward withdrew from coach Desiree Ellis’ preliminary squad due to personal reasons.
“Of course, Thembi Kgatlana is one of the key players of the national team, but people forget that the team went on to win the Wafcon in 2022 without her,” Van Wyk said during a Lays event in Thembisa, east of Johannesburg, at the weekend.
Plugging the gap left by Kgatlana
“She [Kgatlana] got injured in the first match with an Achilles injury, and we continued the rest of the tournament without her, and we managed to win the tournament.
“So, I don’t think it is one player we should focus on. It will be a major loss in the striking department, but if you look at the previous results against Malawi, we had various goal scorers and did not really struggle.”
She continued: “The coach will be forced to convert other players into filling in that position and adapt to the new system.
“Jermaine Seoposenwe, a player with a keen eye for goal, will likely assume that role.
“Of course, Kgatlana’s strength does make a difference in the team, but it is all about teamwork, and if the other senior players step up, then I don’t think it will be that much of a miss.”
Legends rub shoulders with kids
Meanwhile, Van Wyk formed part of the ambassadors for the Lays Super Fan Challenge alongside Lucas Radebe, Josta Dladla, and former Banyana teammate Amanda Dlamini.
The event saw young boys and girls get an opportunity to play and watch the former stars in action during a five-a-side match.
Aboobaker Hassim, the senior brand manager for Lays South Africa, explained the significance of including former players and legends in the Youth Month event.
“It was crucial to bring the legends here because many kids genuinely love football, and the work that Safe Hub does in Thembisa is so phenomenal,” Hassim said.
“So, to bring and show them the South African who made it in football, locally and internationally, is so important.”
