Janine van Wyk: Transition into coaching hasn’t been easy

During that period, the defender broke an 11-year-old record of appearances for her country, becoming the most capped individual – female or male – on the African continent with 185 caps.

READ: Precious Mashele pleads with ASA to assist him with pace setters to boost his Olympic qualification goals

Armed with a CAF B and UEFA B Coaching Diploma Licences, Van Wyk can now be seen on the bench of JVW - a team that she co-owns in the Hollywoodbets Super League.

 ''The transition hasn't been that easy, I think it's been comfortable because it's my own football club and it's players I have played with previously. So getting into it has been easier as compared to joining another football club,'' said Van Wyk

The Hollywoodbets Super League is rated as one of the best, if not the best, on the African continent – and while Van Wyk agrees with the notion, she is adamant however that a lot still needs to be done.

''I would say to an extent it is a competitive league but not in terms of the standard football. More so logistically it is challenging for teams. Teams who have limited resources, find it difficult to drive long hours and still compete,'' added Van Wyk.

After a rough start to the 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League season, where they lost two games on the trot, JVW has now found their footing and back among the chasing pack. They are currently sixth on the log standings on 18 points in 10 games – they have won five, drawn two and also lost two.

''We were in doubt, we brought in a new style of play. It has been a difficult start but it doesn't mean the philosophy won't work,'' concluded Van Wyk. 

The African record-holder in terms of national team appearances was on Thursday night honoured with a Lifetime Achievement award at the inaugural COSAFA Awards held in Johannesburg, joining the likes of Fran-Hilton Smith, Felix Tangawarima and Mark Gleeson, among others.