Noko Matlou retires from international football

After 19 years of playing for Banyana Banyana, Limpopo-born player Noko Matlou has retired from international football.

The 39-year-old played her last game when Banyana took on Malawi in an international friendly match at UJ Soweto Campus on Saturday.

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The Moletjie-born was the first South African [Male or Female] to win the CAF Player of the Year award when she was crowned African Women Footballer of the Year in 2008.

She also won the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations and was part of the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup co-hosted in Australia and New Zealand with Banyana Banyana.

MOLETJIE-BORN NOKO MATLOU HAS RETIRED FROM INTERNATIONAL FOOTBALL 

She earned her 176th senior international cap against Malawi, making her the second-most capped national team player after former captain Janine van Wyk [185].

Matlou currently plays for Spanish club CP Cacereño. Matlou is a former striker who transitioned into a commanding central defender.

She will not be part of the side at the upcoming Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Banyana Banyana are one of the favourites after winning the trophy back in 2022. They are set to play Malawi in a second match on Tuesday.