9 January 2018 – Former captain of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana, Amanda Dlamini has retired from the South African Senior Women’s National Team after an illustrative career spanning 105 caps.

After not playing for Banyana Banyana for about a year, Dlamini – who was captain of the squad at the 2012 Olympic Games in London – said she has now decided to move on and give the upcoming generation a chance.

Dlamini was also part of the team that represented South Africa at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.

She says she will not be lost to football, especially women’s football and will continue playing for Sasol League side JVW FC. Dlamini also works as a football analyst on television.

HERE IS THE FULL STATEMENT FROM AMANDA DLAMNI:

My time away from the national team has afforded me sometime to pray and do a bit of self-introspection about my future. After spending a year out of the national team, it has taken a lot for me to bounce back. I have always respected the coaches’ reasons and thought process in her selection criteria. I last competed at international level during the 2016 Rio Olympics and it is time for me to move on.

Today marks a new journey for me as I retire from the national team-Banyana Banyana. I may be closing the chapter on the national team but I will still play domestic football and participate in football in other aspects. It is time for me to pursue my other passions and open room for new and younger talent to represent South Africa.

It has always been my dream to reach this mark of exiting the national team with many good memories. I still would have loved to reach the World Cup and win a gold medal on the African continent conquering the AWC. It is time to pass on the baton to the younger generation who have proven themselves capable and eager to represent South Africa with pride.

I am truly grateful for all the opportunities that SAFA has afforded me and to Sasol for their continued support for women’s football. I have played alongside legends such as Portia Modise, Veronica Phewa and Nompumelelo Nyandeni. Football has given me an opportunity not only to play football but also to also pursue my studies and travel the world. My journey has allowed me to lead the national team to their first historical Olympic Games and now I say goodbye to the Banyana Banyana with 105 Caps to my name.

I am proud of what I have achieved while I was in the national team, but all of this would not have been possible without my supporters, sponsors, family and friends. Thank you for always believing in the dreams of a young girl from the dusty streets of Harding. Many of you have sacrificed so much to allow me to be a reflection of possibility by working with me to help me achieve my dreams.

As a former senior member of the team, I will continue to support female footballers in South Africa and continue to advocate for women’s football. I look forward to exploring other career avenues in football and I will continue to work on the Amanda Dlamini Girls Foundation, which was inspired by my journey in the national team. This is not goodbye from football it is merely ending a chapter in my journey.

–SOURCED FROM THE SAFA WEBSITE