Menzi Magubane
Banyana Banyana captain Jenine van Wyk has pleaded with her teammates to invest their money instead of spending it.
The players will each receive R400,000 in bonuses as promised by the South African Football Association (Safa) for their achievement when they return home on Tuesday.
“I have told them that they need to invest the money and not buy fancy things like clothes or cars,” said Van Wyk after Sunday’s historic match.
“They must look at buying things like property because life is not about now but about what you want in the future.”
She said she will definitely be investing her bonus even though she still hasn’t thought about what kind of investment she will use it on.
“We must always try to be smart when it comes to money. These are just bonuses not salaries. There’s no need to go all out,” she said.
The 35-year-old featured in one match against neighbours Botswana in the Group C final encounter but she said she doesn’t feel bad about her lack of game time in the competition.
The centre-back has played her last Wafcon as she said she will hang up her boots after the 2023 Women’s World Cup.
“I don’t feel cheated at all. It’s about the team, not about me as an individual. I will push hard to make the World Cup squad. That’ll be the closing tournament for me. I have brought a lot of leadership to the squad, a lot of motivation, especially off the pitch,” she said.
“I knew I needed to support my teammates and I am proud of that. I feel that I have played a key role in mentoring these youngsters.”
The veteran defender made her Banyana debut in 2005 against Nigeria in the African Women’s Championship. She has since played 180 matches for the national team.
Image source: @CAFWomen
