The South African senior women’s national team bagged a milestone second ever win over The Super Falcons in their opening African Women’s Cup of Nations clash in Ghana on Sunday evening.
With an eye on their maiden qualification to the 2019 FIFA Women’s World Cup in France, Banyana got off to the right start by beating the top-ranked African side and tournament favourites 1-0.
This was the first time they managed the feat since a 1-0 victory back in 2012, having lost their previous two meetings.
“It really means so much to us – not only will it give the team a lot of confidence going forward into the tournament but us as players feel confident after beating the defending champions and tournament favourites as well,” said Van Wyk.
“It’s just given us a lot of hope to see what we actually have been working so hard for, so I’m extremely happy with the performance of the team – every single member really put so much work and effort in on that field.
“And, without anyone on that field, we would not have done it because everyone gave 100 percent and it was team work that won it for us at the end of the day.”
United States-based forward Thembi Kgatlana scored the all-important goal in stunning fashion in the 85th minute, and Van Wyk could not be prouder of the budding 22-year-old starlet.
“Obviously Thembi coming on and making the difference and scoring a phenomenal cracker of a goal was world class for her,” she added.
“Like I said to the team in the locker room, we can celebrate this win – it’s normal for any player to celebrate a fantastic win like that.
“But we still have a long way to go as a team, and we have a couple of games ahead that we really need to stay as focused for as we were [against Nigeria].”
Banyana next face Equatorial Guinea, who were thrashed 5-0 by Zambia, in their second Group B tie on Wednesday at 20h30 (SA time).