Jane: Banyana have to deliver

Refiloe Jane has admitted that Banyana Banyana are under extra pressure to retain the Cosafa Women’s Challenge title, since the competition will be played on home soil and starting next Wednesday in Port Elizabeth.

Jane (above) led the team to their fourth Cosafa Cup title in the absence of skipper Janine van Wyk in Zimbabwe last year and wants to see Banyana lifting the trophy again.

“Playing at home is good for us because we will have a lot of support, but it also puts us under pressure to deliver, so we have to go out there and make sure we please our supporters by getting good results,” said Jane, who was named the Gauteng Sportswoman-of-the-Year at the Gauteng Sports Awards on Sunday.

“It would be great to win the tournament again, but we know it won’t be easy. Teams are starting to be very competitive and the fact that we are the defending champions means teams will be coming hard at us.”

The Banyana midfielder believes the presence of overseas-based players like Thembi Kgatlana, Linda Motlhalo and Van Wyk for this year’s tournament is a big boost for the senior national women’s team.

“It is good to have overseas players, they will bring a lot of value into the team and that will help us in our journey to try and defend the trophy. I believe everyone on the team has the same mindset, to go out there and win the cup.”

The midfielder recently signed a contract with Australian outfit Canberra United. The Westfield League kicks off in October.