Janine van Wyk of South Africa goes for the ball during the Women’s Group E first round match between South Africa and China PR on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on this day August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Janine van Wyk on the brink of realising Champions League dream
Janine van Wyk could be in line to represent Glasgow City in the Uefa Women’s Champions League quarterfinals.
Janine van Wyk of South Africa goes for the ball during the Women’s Group E first round match between South Africa and China PR on Day 1 of the Rio 2016 Olympic Games at the Olympic Stadium on this day August 6, 2016 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. (Photo by Buda Mendes/Getty Images)
Banyana Banyana Skipper and Glasgow City new recruit Janine van Wyk says that as a child she could never have dreamed that football would have as much in store for her as it did.
A dream about to come true for Banyana skipper
Van Wyk could be in line to represent Glasgow City in the Uefa Women’s Champions League quarterfinals, though she needs to prove her fitness before any such opportunity comes her way.
“I wouldn’t be going over there if it wasn’t guaranteed that I’d be playing in the Champions League!” van Wyk joked when asked if she was in the frame to travel to Spain with the team that will face Wolfsburg on 21 August.
“But yeah, I think there is a chance of playing. The coach spoke to me about a couple of friendlies before then to get me ready, because I haven’t played in so long. I think from the day I arrive they’ll be working with me to get me ready for those games.”
The Scotsman
Janine van Wyk among Banyana’s foreign legion
Van Wyk is part of a growing group of Banyana Banyana stars to land contracts in Europe since they made their maiden world cup appearance in 2019.
Banyana’s foreign legion now includes Refiloe Jane at AC Milan (Italy), Thembi Kgatlana with SD Eibar (Spain), Linda Motlhalo with Djurgårdens IF (Sweden) and Jermaine Seoposenwe at Braga (Portugal).
The skipper says that she and her fellow Banyana internationals have a responsibility to be good role models for potential future women’s footballers.
“I think it’s important for us to showcase how far we have come,” she explains. “But also set a great example to the young ones that look up to us. When we were young we didn’t have female role models. My role model was David Beckham and a couple of other Manchester United players.
“Now, when you play the game, women’s football is so much more popular. You want young girls to look to their national team, to look to the ones who stand out like your Thembis and Lindas and Jermaines. It’s important for us, as players, to know that we are now role models to youngsters.
“We have to set an example on the field, in the media, because those girls will imitate what we do. If we continue to do well, if we continue to get ourselves contracts overseas, then that’s something they will aspire to do as well.”
