Banyana star Jane to miss final after recall by club
Banyana vice-captain Refiloe Jane has admitted that leaving the team’s camp on the eve of the Africa Women Cup of Nations final against Nigeria in Ghana has left her with a heavy heart.
The star midfielder will miss the tournament showpiece on Saturday afternoon at the Accra Sports Stadium after her Australian club Canberra United exercised their right to recall her from the tournament.
“It is sad that I won’t be playing in the final against Nigeria at the weekend.
“A piece of me wants to play in the final but the other part of me wants me to go and chase my dream of playing pro football overseas‚” she said before leaving the team camp.
“It is not a good situation to be in but it comes with the territory of being a professional athlete.
“Sometimes God puts you in situations knowing what is best for you.
“He has placed me here but at the same time he wants me to be somewhere else.
“I met the rest of the team and said my goodbyes.
“I believe that we have a good team and quality players to do well in the final. Our technical team has done a good job and I am positive that we will do well.”
Safa acting CEO Russell Paul said there was an agreement with Canberra United that Jane would only be available for a certain number of games in Ghana.
“There was an agreement between the player and the club that she would leave after qualification [for the World Cup]‚” he said.
“Initially the club wanted to have her back after the group stages but we negotiated with them.
“This is part of relationshipbuilding and there is nothing malicious in this arrangement.
“We must celebrate the fact that she put her country first and helped us to qualify for the Cup of Nations final and to the World Cup,” Paul said. “We must support her because she is embarking on a new and exciting journey with a new club overseas.”
Jane was one of the key figures in Banyana’s march to the final and the Fifa World Cup in France in 2019.
She thanked the coaches and teammates for understanding her situation. –