27 January 2020 — Banyana Banyana has two more players plying their trade in Europe – this after forward Kelso Peskin signed with French side Toulouse FC Féminines, while midfielder Linda Motlhalo made to a move to Djurgarden in Sweden.
Among other South African women players abroad are Refiloe Jane (Italy), Thembi Kgatlana (China), Regina Mogolola (Serbia), Zanele Nhlapo (Albania), Rachel Sebati (Turkey), Leandra Smeda (Sweden) and Amogelang Motau (USA).
The 25-year-old Peskin spent four years in the USA, studying and playing football at Lamr University in Texas, before returning home in Cape Town in 2018.
Speaking to her new club’s website, Peskin had this to say:
“I come here with the ambition to help the club by scoring goals, it is my role. The Girls have had a difficult start to the season, but we need to keep going. It is not my first experience far from South Africa since I studied in the United States, but this is may first time playing in Europe now here with Toulouse. The level is higher here it seems to me, more physical, with more long balls and duels I hope to make my speed speak and be decisive quickly.”
Motlhalo makes her move after spending just one season at Beijing Phoenix and joins Swedish Damallsvenskan outfit Djurgarden.
She helped her former club to a fifth place finish in the Chinese women’s top flight league.
Motlhalo previously played for Houston Dash in the USA.
Djurgarden has midfielder Stephanie Malherbe on their books, as well as Lance Davids‚ Mark Mayambela and Siyabonga Nomvethe on the men’s side.
“I am very happy and expectant to come to Stockholm and play for Djurgarden. I look forward to new experiences and to experiencing a new atmosphere. I know it’s a good league with sharp competition‚ I also know that Djurgarden has historically been a good team even though it was really tough last season,” said Motlhalo.
Meanwhile Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk has returned home after parting ways with Danish club Fortuna Hjorring. She joined the outfit in August 2019 while she was recovering from a knee injury she sustained in the COSAFA Women’s Championship in the same month – but she never got the chance to play for her new side.
Van Wyk had been on the books of Houston Dash.
She announced her to return to South Africa earlier this month.
“Many of you know that I have recently signed for a club in Denmark and many of you know that I also sustained a knee injury at the Cosafa Cup in August 2019. Due to the fact that I have yet to fully recovered from the injury, the club Fortuna Hjorring and I have come to an agreement to terminate my contract. I am truly grateful for the opportunity Fortuna offered me and for giving me their continuous support and patience during my rehabilitation. I have made a decision to return to South Africa to fully focus on the process of the rehab where I will get the best possible treatment in order for me to get back to playing football again.”
South African women players abroad
| PLAYER | POSITION | CLUB | LATEST UPDATE |
| Daniella De Sousa | Striker | Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma | Season completed |
| Thembi Kgatlana | Midfielder | Beijing BG Phoenix, China | Season completed |
| Anele Komani | Midfielder | University of West Alabama | Season completed |
| Refiloe Jane | Midfielder | AC Milan, Italy | Scored and played 90 minutes in Monday’s 3-2 home win over Roma |
| Letago Madiba | Forward | ALG Spor, Turkey | No fixture, next game February 9 |
| Stephanie Malherbe | Midfielder | Djurgården, Sweden | No longer with the club |
| Andisiwe Mgcoyi | Striker | Apolonia, Albania | Winter break. League resumes on February 15 |
| Regina Mogolola | Defender | Red Star Belgrade, Serbia | Winter break. League resumes on February 22 |
| Linda Motlhalo | Midfielder | Djurgarden, Sweden | New season starts February 22 |
| Amogelang Motau | Striker | Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma | Season completed |
| Zanele Nhlapo | Defender | Apolonia, Albania | Winter break. League resumes on February 15 |
| Drishana Pillay | Defender | Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma | Season completed |
| Rachel Sebati | Midfielder | ALG Spor, Turkey | No fixtures, next game in February 9 |
| Leandra Smeda | Midfielder | Vittsjö, Sweden | New season starts February 23 |
| Janine van Wyk | Defender | Fortuna Hjørrin, Denmark | Terminated contract with club |
| Chamelle Wiltshire | Defender | Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas | Season completed |