University of Pretoria coach excited about Wendy Shongwe's comeback

Shongwe, who had become a regular for Banyana Banyana, suffered an ACL injury in March 2024 and has not played in over a year.

She made a huge comeback on Sunday in the Hollywoodbets Super League where the university team secured a 1-0 victory against First Touch Ladies, with Shongwe being named the Player of the Match.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Khumalo says they are thrilled to have the striker back.

"To be honest with you, I'm happy for her more than I'm happy for the team because at the end of the day, remember as coaches, it's all about the players at the end of the day and then she missed out a lot, I believe that she would have been part of the WAFCON squad.

“She was going to add value to the national team, but I'm very, very happy for her," Khumalo said.

READ: Former Banyana Banyana captain proud to be developing young players

The striker last played for Banyana in the WAFCON Qualifiers in 2023, having been part of the squad that won the WAFCON in 2022.

Khumalo believes that the 22-year-old will still do really well in her career.

"I don't want to put her under pressure because everyone is expecting her to do more in the sense that they know what she can deliver.

“So, I'm trying to make her humble because the journey of her injury was not so easy,” the coach added.

“So, I'm trying to make sure that she doesn't go back there; she must try to work gradually because everyone knows how good she is, so they will go hard on her. “But for me, she's been training, working hard, and she's been consistent in her training sessions and programs, and she's going to continue doing those recovery programs.