Salgado: Teams Improve To Challenge Sundowns

 By Malose Wa Ga Lamola 



ShakingInk caught up with JVW Football For Girls and Banyana Banyana star attacker, Gabriela Selgado, and the 1.58m tall player opens up about the race to the Hollywoodbets Super League throne. The transition of Jenine Van Wyk from captaining her at club and national teams into the coaching space. Selgado delves into the Banyana heartbreak of missing out on the Olympic games currently underway in France. 




Jenine Van Wyk is an iconic figure in South African football. With a staggering 185 caps under her belt, Van Wyk is the most capped footballer in Africa, both in men and women football. Van Wyk has since hung up her boots and walked into the dugouts to coach JVW Football For Girls in the Hollywoodbets Super League. Selgado shared a dressing room with Van Wyk both at club and national level, she is best suited to spot differences between captain and coach Van Wyk, or similarities if there are any. Though, the transition from playing to coaching is presumed to be a seamless one, but that is not always the case. Selgado says her former captain went into coaching like a teacher to a classroom.



"It has always been a privilege playing alongside Janine both at the national and club level.Being in her presence from a young age she has always showed me her qualities and passion for the game, Janine starting a new chapter as a coach is definitely an asset for JVW. Her leadership qualities have definitely made it a smooth transition." Said Selgado. 



Banyana Banyana has missed out on qualify for the Olympic games currently underway in France. South Africa lost one-nil in a two legged encounter to nemesis, Nigeria, earlier this year. The left footed attacker says losing the qualifiers hurts and losing to The Super Falcons makes it even worse. Having missed the 2020 edition of the Olympic games held in Tokyo, Banyana, will now miss two Olympic games on the bounce. The last time South Africa made a cut at this monumental sports tournament, was in Brazil in 2016. "It’s never easy to take a loss, but losing against Nigeria was definitely a bitter pill to swallow. Missing out on the Olympics was heartbreaking even more because I have never been (to the Olympics)." Selgado told ShakingInk. 





The 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League campaign is a true reflection of a growing South African women's football. Four teams are gunning for league honours. In the Hollywoodbets Super League canan is always dim and far away. The benchmark is a bit high and for the tired climbers, the horizon is always dark. Usually, the gap between Sundowns and a second placed team, is wider than the bottom based side is to number two on the standings. This season there is paranoia at the top. Sundowns is not used to be kept company at the summit of the standings. The gap is too narrow for the Chloorkop based outfit to breath. Teams are mounting the pressure on the defending Champions. University of Johannesburg, University of the Western Cape and JVW are all within a touching distance of log leaders. "Yes , every year the league gets more competitive teams are taking there game  to the next level coming back every year more hungry to succeed. I think once the league is professionalised it will definitely become one of the best leagues to be part of. The competitiveness and ability our country has to offer is incredible. I think it’s about time we are taken seriously."

Salgado wrapped. 


@Lamola_Herold






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