Banyana Banyana captain Refiloe Jane comntinues to make history after she led the Africans to their first ever victory over Japan in her 150th cap on Tuesday.
Image: Instagram.
Banyana Banyana marked skipper Refiloe Jane’s special 150th cap with a historic victory, beating Japan 1-0 to become the first African senior women’s national team to defeat the Asians in an official match.
Linda Motlhalo slotted home after Jane’s delivery from a corner kick, as the former African champions responded to a 5-0 defeat in the first leg at the weekend.
Head coach Desiree Ellis freshened up her starting line-up with three alterations, handing starts to Kaylin Swart, Bongeka Gamede and Thembi Kgatlana in place of Andile Dlamini, Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Gabriela Salgado respectively.
Japan also reshuffled their team significantly, with Seiki Kiko the only player retained from the previous encounter.
“It was a very interesting game we had against Japan. We made a lot of corrections from the first game. We sat down as players before the match and decided, ‘There’s no way we are going back home with two losses’.
“It was up to us to make improvements and take a lot of positives into this game. We played well as a unit, we played for one another and there were great saves from the goalkeeper,” said Jane after the match.
“What changed for Banyana Banyana was staying switched on throughout the game, shifting together as a unit, staying compact and not jumping to their press. They would try to stretch us, but staying compact was always going to help throughout the game.”
In Banyana's exclusive 150-cap club, Jane joins legends such as former captain Janine van Wyk (185), defender Noko Matlou (174) and midfielder Nompumelelo Nyandeni (150). The 33-year-old Soweto-born Jane made her debut in 2012.
“I am very excited to have reached 150 caps for the national team. I am happy and humbled by the journey that I’ve gone through to get to where I am,” she said.
“It hasn’t been easy, it is not easy and it is still going to be difficult going forward because there is a lot that lies ahead. We are headed for the big one — we are going to the WAFCON, which also doubles up as the World Cup qualifiers.”
Jane was part of the squad that won WAFCON in Morocco in 2022, and went on to be part of the first South African side to advance to the knockout stages of the FIFA World Cup Down Under in 2023.
Her Banyana journey is filled with historic moments, as she was also there when the South Africans made their first Olympic Games appearance at London 2012.
“It has been an interesting time, with lots of ups and downs, coming back from injuries to rejoin the team once again, but overall, I am very happy and humbled by my performance. I still remember my first cap, Cyprus 2012,” beamed Jane.
“To have clocked 150 caps away from home also made it a great feeling, but I know the support I get from home, from the team and management. I am grateful for that.
“What stands out is the big one, winning the WAFCON in 2022, and just being part of the team every chance I get. It is such an honour and a blessing to be here. It is not everyone who gets the chance to be in the national team, so every chance I get to be here I am excited and very grateful.”
The WAFCON is scheduled for Morocco from July 25 to August 16 with Banyana drawn GHana, Mali and Tanzania in Groupd C.