Janine van Wyk became the most capped African footballer on Monday, when she made her 185th appearance for South Africa in a 2-0 qualification win against Burkina Faso in the African Women’s Cup of Nations.
She surpassed Egyptian Ahmed Hassan, who had held the record since retiring in 2012, with 184 appearances for his country.
Van Wyk, 36, played eight minutes against the Burkinabe in the western Pretoria township of Atteridgeville before being replaced and announcing her retirement.
She made her debut for South Africa in 2005, earned 100 caps nine years later, and recently equaled Hassan by playing in a drawn first leg against Burkina Faso.
Her career highlights with Banyana Banyana (The Girls) include appearances at the 2019 World Cup as well as the Olympic Games in 2012 and 2016.
Van Wyk was in tears as she hugged her teammates before leaving the Atteridgeville pitch when the temperature reached 34 degrees Celsius (93 degrees Fahrenheit).
“I am eternally grateful to everyone who has assisted me throughout my long career.” “I could not have accomplished this incredible feat without the assistance of many others,” she told AFP.
“It is critical for senior players like myself to accept that younger players are vying for selection.” We must grow them, make them feel at ease, and then step back.”
South Africa is the incumbent Women’s Cup of Nations champion, having defeated Morocco in the final in 2022, and a 3-1 aggregate win against Burkina Faso secured a spot in the following championships.
Van Wyk played for Houston Dash, Fortuna Hjorring in Denmark, and Glasgow City in addition to JVW, a Johannesburg club she founded.