Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winner Noko Matlou has name-checked Andile Dlamini as the player she most admired during their time together as Banyana Banyana team-mates.

Matlou recently retired from international football and made her final appearance for South Africa in the 3-0 win over Malawi on April 5 when she captained the team.

The Cacereno Femenino defender bowed out as her country’s second-most capped player behind Janine van Wyk after racking up a staggering 174 appearances in a career spanning 19 years.

Matlou, who became the first footballer from Mzansi to be crowned African Women’s Footballer of the Year in 2008, helped Desiree Ellis’ side win their maiden WAFCON title in 2022.

Speaking in an interview with the SA Football Journalists’ Association [SAFJA] on Thursday, the 39-year-old was asked who her favourite Banyana Banyana player was.

“When I look back, we still have good players on the team, but not that I’m undermining other players. However, we can look at players like Refiloe Jane, Thembi Kgatlana, and Andile Dlamini,” she said.

“For me, I can say that Andile Dlamini is my favourite Banyana player I have ever played with. This is because when I consider the things she has achieved as a player, such as being the African Goalkeeper of the Year, it speaks volumes. I will go with Andile.”