soccer-players-from-south-africa

"We are never taken seriously as female footballer, but I feel that this is changing gradually. We should be equal to men in this sport because we play it well."

"I am very proud of how far I have come and I am hoping to inspire more women in football and across other disciplines they find themselves in."

"Believe that whatever you want is possible to achieve, do not let your circumstances define where YOU WANT to end up."

"There are many players who wish to be in our place right now, we are very grateful to be here. And I feel it can open more opportunities for me, so I’m grateful."

"Finding the right balance between offensive and defensive moves, anticipating your opponent’s next move and making calculated decisions to gain an advantage are crucial aspects of both chess and football. Both games demand a combination of skill, foresight and tactical awareness to outwit your opponent and secure victory."

"It is such a great opportunity to be given a chance to showcase my talent as a woman."

"I want people to respect and support me."

"Stay disciplined and focus on your goals ."

"Try to accept yourself and be kind to yourself. It’s the most important and perhaps the toughest thing to do. Practice looking after your needs and refrain from putting your wellbeing at risk to please others. Continue loving yourself even when someone treats you poorly, bullies you, or shows you disrespect."

"At 6 years old, football was very interesting for me. My family encouraged me to play and then I started playing with a girls’ team after playing in the streets for a long time."

"I was so overwhelmed with the mantle of responsibility that was presented before me. It was a great privilege to lead the line and I will never forget this opportunity."

"We are preparing quite well and focusing more on our composure in front of the goal because we realized we created lots of chances, but we only managed to convert one in our previous game. We do not want to leave anything to chance on Sunday. We will be sharper in front of goal and that will make all the difference."

"It’s every player’s dream to play abroad, and I am no different. I would like to see myself getting out of my comfort zone and challenge myself against some of the best players in the world."

"All I can say - is that we have players who are always willing to take instructions - they make our job easy and we are very proud of their achievements this season."

"What I like about me, I can transfer this energy. If I'm at soccer, I'm at soccer, I train I keep the energy. I go home, get a bit of rest, and I go back to the studio. On and off the pitch I can still work, than someone who can complain 'I'm from soccer' and they sleep. I'm not like that."

"I'm happy with the way I am. I'm a product of God. People should be supportive about my career, not be judgemental."

"What a time to be alive. I appreciate the fact that we live in a time where we as the youth are reaping the blessings that our ancestors struggled for."

"Soccer has positively influenced my life in many ways. It has ensured that I could further my education at tertiary level, it has groomed me holistically, it has also helped me to become the individual that I am right now."

"Teachers played an integral part of my life. They were the ones who constantly kept me on my toes academically and with my football. The support was the most important part from my teacher and lecturers throughout my education years. The understanding that I am a student athlete was very important."

"It is important for girls to have someone to show them the way, and I take this seriously. I would love my values and actions to inspire the next generation and give hope to the hopeless; to be someone young girls wish to emulate. I also want to help young girls feel like they belong, especially in a sport seen to be male dominated. They need to be inspired when looking, hearing, or seeing me."

"The World Cup is every soccer player’s dream, including mine. I would love to play at a World Cup and believe that if it’s meant for me it will come to pass. For now, I can only control the variable in my power, continue to work hard, stay disciplined and determined. The rest is up to God."

"Yes, we might sweat, but at the end of the day, we need to go out there and collect all three point."

"As coaches, we are genuinely delighted with the remarkable form displayed by our girls. We take immense pride in their techniques, solid positioning and growing tactical awareness. It brings us great satisfaction to witness their diligent implementation of the training sessions. Naturally, we are also thrilled with their consistent winning performances. However, as coaches, we recognize the importance of preventing complacency and nurturing a hunger for continuous success. It is our responsibility to guide and motivate them towards reaching new heights and achieving even greater accomplishments."

"But I think it's good, you can tell women's football is growing. The coaches are now becoming more wiser in how they approach games. It is good for the fans and it is good for the league."

"This captaincy role has further improved my knowledge of the game. As a skipper, there are so many aspects of the game that must always be studied in real-time. Although we did not finish the tournament the way we anticipated, I understood the challenges of what leadership comes with. The experience obtained is priceless and if the opportunity to become a captain arises again in the nearest future, I will be willing and ready to step in and showcase my abilities."

"That was a minor setback, nothing more. We are a team built to win and that is not about to change. Our focus is already set on the next challenge and Sunday’s game will be a perfect opportunity to bounce back."

"The ability to think several moves ahead in chess has translated into improved anticipation and decision-making on the football pitch. I can now better identify potential openings and visualize different scenarios."

"The only competition we can and have competed in is the COSAFA Cup, so I honestly don’t know what I can achieve with my national team. Maybe I will be one of those great players who retire without ever being at a major tournament."

"Putting the ball in the back of the net is always a good feeling because goals help us to win games."

"Adapting to a new country with a different culture and way of doing things was tough at first."

"I'm busy, but I don't find it difficult. When it comes to my lifestyle, the industry, I get a lot of time cos I know no one dictates for me. It's about me."

"When it comes to football everything runs on time, on their a schedule, we must be there. We signed a contract, and working for them. But as an individual, I'm working for myself."

"Dancing has always been there, as part of street culture."

"Amapiano is a vibe, it is a culture and it is a celebration of being young."

"When you score goals, you increase your chances of winning games. As such, we are determined to score more in April. I am happy with the way even the new signings have hit the ground running in terms of putting the ball in the back of the net."

"I am grateful to pursue my love for music and football simultaneously. Doors that I have never imagined are opening for me because I work hard in all that I do. It is a marvellous time to live a dream that I never saw coming. Now that I am realising my dreams across both fronts, I aim to keep soaring higher. Like I always say, believe in your dreams, because if you do not give up, that dream will become a reality"

"I want them to watch how I navigate my career and how I carry myself, more imperatively they must watch how I treat people. Everyone you know brings you closer to your next yes."

"Reality is we are all from different backgrounds [that is why] it’s a special place to find family within a work space regardless of the industry. The family aspect of it all, everyone at Sundowns has yellow blood."

"Work hard, hard work always beats talent when talent doesn’t work."

"Having to be mentally strong is very important in life and having an understanding that things won’t always go our way is important. Dealing with hurdles is important."

"To the educators, support the kids, by all means be the mentor that they never had growing up or they wish they always had. Encourage learners to pursue their dreams however emphasise the importance of education, especially to the girl child! The fight for equality in sports continues."

"I had to make time management one of my main practices and prioritize my studies before my football, because I was a student before being a soccer player. Discipline, dedication and hard work – these are some the traits that helped me balance my football and studies."

"No matter who you are or where you come from, have confidence in yourself and follow your path. Rise above your circumstances – never let them define where you can or want to end up."

"Things that keep me hungry for success are making myself and my family proud. Wanting to give back and to be remembered. To leave a mark everywhere I touch or pass. My desire to win and to realise my goals."

"But at the end of the day, you don’t do things to please people but to please yourself and for your well-being and what you think is the best for you. At the end of the day, it’s about you."

"We did apply ourselves and did everything we could to win, but sometimes when it is not your day, it’s not your day."

"Every girl should keep on working hard because anything is possible in life. I never thought I’d end up here one day, but it’s possible. It happened for us, and it can happen for anyone. And never neglect your school, school comes first along with football. Education will make you accomplish your dreams, so take your future seriously, that’s what I tell our youngsters in the team."

"I went through a lot in my life, it was never easy. You need to be disciplined in your life, to focus, take responsibility and work harder than you can, that’s what I did and will keep doing."

"We work for one another; we die for another on that field of play. It doesn’t matter who is playing or not playing. Whoever is chosen does the job. Even when the coaches change things up and bring in new players, you cannot see who has been subbed off and who has replaced them."

"I am proof that gender cannot prevent one from becoming what they want to be."