Janine van Wyk: ‘I was a nervous wreck’ as Banyana Banyana secured Wafcon glory

Janine van Wyk has recalled the fear and emotion of watching from the bench as Banyana Banyana won their first Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title with a 2-1 victory over Morocco in Rabat on 23 July 2022.

The former South Africa captain, speaking in an extract from The Janine van Wyk Story, told to Firdose Moonda and published by Karavan Press, described the final at Stade Prince Moulay Abdellah as one of the most intense experiences of her career.

Before kick-off, Van Wyk visited almost every member of the squad to remind them of their importance to the team. She told them victory would give them the chance to make history.

The match was played in front of a hostile and extraordinary crowd. Red flares burned in the stands while drums, whistles and cheers filled the stadium. Van Wyk said the team had heard that 60,000 people were attempting to enter a venue with a capacity of 45,000.

It was a landmark occasion for women’s football in Africa, although the overwhelming majority of the support was for the hosts. South Africa were booed and whistled whenever they had possession.

The score was 0-0 at half-time, with some Banyana Banyana players showing frustration and fatigue. Van Wyk used the interval to offer advice based on what she had seen during the opening 45 minutes.

She believed the partnership between Jermaine Seoposenwe and Hildah Magaia could prove decisive. The pair had already created one opportunity, but Morocco goalkeeper Khadija Er-Rmichi had raced from her line to stop it. Van Wyk felt another chance of that kind could put the goalkeeper under greater pressure.

Her assessment proved correct in the 63rd minute. Seoposenwe moved ahead of two defenders before cutting the ball back from near the touchline. Magaia was unmarked and calmly placed her shot into the bottom-right corner.

Van Wyk ran down the touchline to celebrate with Magaia at the corner flag, saying she felt as though she was taking part in the match herself.

South Africa doubled their lead eight minutes later. Magaia worked her way through the Moroccan defence and lifted the ball over Er-Rmichi. Van Wyk again raced to the corner flag and lifted the goalscorer into the air before the rest of the team arrived.

With 20 minutes remaining, South Africa knew their priority was to protect their advantage. Morocco responded strongly and began to create pressure as Banyana Banyana tired and made mistakes.

The hosts pulled one goal back with 10 minutes left when South Africa lost possession in their own half. Rosella Ayane was left unmarked as Morocco broke forward and she struck the ball into the net.

Morocco nearly equalised with two minutes remaining, leaving South Africa facing a tense finish. Van Wyk said she was unable to sit still on the bench and found it difficult both to watch and to look away.

When the fourth official indicated seven minutes of added time, the South African players and staff reacted with disbelief.

“Where had seven minutes come from?” Van Wyk recalled. She pulled her shirt over her head in an attempt to shut out the noise as Morocco continued to search for an equaliser.

South Africa’s defence held firm, clearing the ball whenever possible until the final whistle. Van Wyk described the feeling at that moment as “footballing heaven”.

She rushed on to celebrate with her team-mates, tears running down her face, and hugged anyone wearing the green and gold. The emotions of the tournament came flooding out at once.

Van Wyk said she felt happy, excited, broken and hurt simultaneously, but had no doubt that she was an African champion. Although she had not played much during the competition, she felt fully part of the achievement.

The squad then fell to the ground in celebration, with many players giving thanks to the Lord. Van Wyk wrapped herself in the South African flag before joining the lap of honour. Only a small number of South African supporters were in the stadium, but the players located them and saluted them.

On the podium, Andile Dlamini, Refiloe Jane and Van Wyk lifted the trophy together as co-captains, team-mates and champions.

Even during the celebrations, some South African players called on corporate South Africa to provide greater support. Their main demand was the creation of a professional domestic league.

They pointed to Morocco as an example of what could be achieved with stronger structures and funding. South Africa had beaten one of the continent’s best-financed teams despite lacking a comparable domestic set-up, and the players believed they deserved more than congratulations.

Van Wyk said the 2022 tournament was the most electric of the Wafcon competitions in which she had participated. She praised its marketing, strong attendances and high-quality facilities, particularly when compared with previous editions.

She added that the teams had been treated like professionals throughout the event, which she believed influenced their performances. Morocco, she said, had established itself as a leading host in Africa and deserved to stage further major events, including the 2030 World Cup, for which it will be a co-host.