Shock as Dlamini retires
SUDDEN DECISION: FORMER BANYANA CAPTAIN HAD BEEN SELECTED FOR THE SWEDEN FRIENDLY Current captain and former coach have paid a warm tribute.
The sudden retirement of midfielder Amanda Dlamini from international football came as a shock for many, especially with the midfielder having been initially included in the Banyana Banyana team to play Sweden in an international friendly at the Cape Town Stadium on Sunday.
Dlamini is a former Banyana captain who made 105 appearances for her country, having played at both the 2012 London and 2016 Rio Olympic Games.
Current Banyana captain Janine van Wyk was one of the people that acknowledged Dlamini’s role in the Banyana team, as well as former Banyana coach Vera Pauw.
“It’s been an absolute honour and privilege to play alongside Amanda for so many years. She has been and still is a true ambassador for women’s football in our country. She will be missed. Her contribution on and off the field was immeasurable and we have all learnt a great deal from her,” said Van Wyk.
“Amanda has been an inspiration to many footballers, male and female, and from all sorts of backgrounds. Her football talent is exceptional. I have not seen many players who were able to make complicated football situations look so easy. But besides that, her personality stands out and I believe she will forever be like that,” Pauw said of Dlamini.
“Amanda is friends with everybody, yet has her own opinion and leads her team-mates in a very humble but determined way. She has been a role model to every girl in South Africa, irrespective of colour. I hope she stays involved in football because the world of women’s football needs her input for the development of our beautiful game. I wish Amanda all the success on her next career path. I am sure our paths will cross soon again and then I will personally thank her for being who she is, a great player, a fantastic role model and a friend for life.”
Interim Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has already replaced Dlamini in the Banyana squad with Xolisile Mnikathi of Sunflowers in KwaZulu-Natal.
Banyana and Sweden will also play a practice match behind closed doors on Thursday.