By Michael Madyira
Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis and Janine van Wyk have settled their differences ahead of the upcoming matches against Burkina Faso.
Van Wyk is part of the 24-member squad to take on the West Africans in the 2024 Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualifiers.
Banyana travel to Burkina Faso for the first leg at Stade de Yamoussoukro on 30 November, before hosting their opponents in the return leg at Lucas Moripe Stadium on 4 January.
Headlining Ellis’ squad is the return of Van Wyk who abandoned the Banyana camp last month in frustration over being an unused substitute against DR Congo in a 2024 Olympic Games qualifier in Kinshasa.
Van Wyk expressed her anger on social media, saying she was “distraught” following her snubbing.
Ellis admitted the player was upset by not being handed playing minutes, leading to a fallout between the two.
What appeared to have infuriated Van Wyk is the coach opting for a new-look centre-back pairing of Lonathemba Mhlongo and Karabo Dhlamini ahead of her.
The fallout cast doubt on Van Wyk being considered for national duty by the Banyana coach again.
Currently sitting on 183 Banyana caps, the central defender is just one game away from equalling the record held by Egypt legend Ahmed Hassan who is the highest-capped footballer of any gender in Africa.
She is looking to surpass that record and she made a surprise appearance in Ellis’s selection announced on Thursday.
Also featured in Ellis’s squad are familiar faces in goalkeeper Kaylin Swart and Amanda Dlamini as well as attackers Linda Motlhalo, Hildah Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana and Jermaine Seoposenwe.
TS Galaxy forward Nicole Michael has been rewarded for her impressive performances against DR Congo with another call-up.
Still missing from the national side however, is captain Refiloe Jane and central defender Bambani Mbane who picked up injuries during the Fifa Women’s World Cup in July.
Pictured above: Banyana Banyana defender Janine van Wyk
Image source: CAF
