Banyana Banyana star to miss AWCON final

by Graeme Jackson

Friday Nov 30, 2018. 13:00

Banyana Banyana vice-captain Refiloe Jane will miss the 2018 Africa Women's Cup of Nations final against Nigeria on Saturday, to return to her club side in Australia.

In a shock announcement on Thursday, it was communicated that Jane will be jetting off to Australia to rejoin her Australian club Canberra United and duly miss the Awcon decider in Ghana.

South Africa booked their place in the final following a 2-0 win over Mali on Tuesday evening, with victory earlier this week having also booked their place at next year's World Cup in France.

“It’s sad that I am not going to be in the final against Nigeria, even though a part of me still wants to play. But a part of me still needs to go and live my other dream of playing pro football overseas,” Jane is quoted as saying on Safa's official website.

"It’s not an easy task to be done, but it’s the perk of being an athlete. Sometimes God places you in situations, knowing what’s best for you. Even though I want to be here, He placed me here, but I should be somewhere else.

“So, wherever He places me, it’s where I will go. I met with the team and sent my goodbye messages and inform them that I won’t be available for the final.

“But we’ve got quality players in the team to lift the trophy, whether I’m here or not.

“And I want to thank the technical team for allowing me to leave at this crucial time of the tournament. If it was any other coach, I don’t think it was going to be easy for them to say ‘You can leave’ for the final," Jane concluded.