Former Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk announced the news of a baby with fellow female soccer player Julia Molin of Sweden.
The couple have played for several clubs together, including Glasgow City and JVW F.C., a club the South African founded and bears her name.
Janine – who is the highest-capped player in Africa – retired from playing professionally last year.
JANINE VAN WYK AND PARTNER ANNOUNCE BABY NEWS
In a sweet Instagram post, Janine van Wyk and Julia Molin announced their pregnancy.
“Our pack is growing with a tiny human. Coming in 2025”, both Janine and Julia posted on their respective accounts.
The couple are believed to have crossed paths in 2021 when Janine van Wyk signed for Glasgow City, a Scottish club where Julia also played.
In 2023, Julia signed with Janine’s club, the JVW FC, also known as the Blue Diamonds. Later that year, Janine announced her retirement from professional playing.
Although Janine posted pics with Julia in 2022, the latter would only go “Instagram official” with the Banyana Banyana captain a year later.
Julia posted: “I didn’t plan to fall in love. I didn’t plan to find this special person, and multiple times, I also denied my own feelings for myself and tried to escape the truth. But after hurting myself, I decided it was enough. Why say no to love out of fear of what others might think? Why say no to happiness because of what others might believe?
She added of her romance with Janine van Wyk: “This is me. We are happy. We are in love.”
SOCCER ROYALTY
Janine van Wyk has an impressive track record as a female soccer player.
The Banyana Banyana led the national team to victory and their first WAFCON in 2022. In 2019, she captained the squad as they competed in their first FIFA Women’s World Cup participation.
Janine has 185 match appearances to her name, making her the highest-capped footballer – male or female – on the African continent.
FIGHTING AGAINST HOMOPHOBIA
Even though Janine van Wyk – an openly gay athlete – admitted to having a privileged life, she has acknowledged that it hasn’t been the same for her colleagues.
She told the Guardian: “I openly came out to my friends and family when I was 16 years old even though there were some obstacles and challenges with my family, but homophobia has had a rapid decline in society, which is really good.
“I came out because I automatically knew that’s who I wanted to be, and I was never afraid. It’s not the same for everyone but I hope one day it can be.”
SHARE YOUR MESSAGES OF CONGRATULATIONS WITH MOM-TO-BE JANINE VAN WYK AND PARTNER JULIA MORLIN
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