"It feels so great. Kennedy is my inspiration so, for me, this is so encouraging and it really gives me more hope and more courage to keep on working extra hard"

"After years away from the pitch due to injury – years that were devastating, breaking, and emotional – I’m finally back. Thanks to Zesco Ndola Girls Football Club for this opportunity"

"I think we're not just physically on the field, but spiritually, in everything that we're doing, together"

"I think the moment I started being named in the national team, that's the time my parents stood up for me and began supporting me. My mom is now my biggest fan"

"I feel like that moment, that's where everything began"

"That's the very year we also qualified for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations for the first time. If you look at the team that qualified for the Women's World Cup, half of it came from the U17 World Cup"

"She would encourage me. She told me to focus on school but also play football because I like it. So, she understood me so well and it really gave me the zeal to keep on going"

"I wish to express my heartfelt gratitude towards my stay in New Zealand , I got injured a few days to the biggest tournament which is the World Cup. A Tournament I have always wanted to participate [in] as a young dreamer"

"I went for a holiday at my grandma's place. And I really cried because I wanted to stay there and enjoy my sports career. So, I had to do that. And it really helped me a lot"

"She used to play netball, and in the process I wanted to do something different from her sport. So, I began playing football and from that time, it has been my favourite sport"

"I really want to experience more, because now it's at a senior level. I'm very excited and looking forward to the World Cup"

"For me, football is more than a game; it’s a way of life. We survive because of football. I feed my family through football, so I always make sure I work really hard and do my best during games"

"I am happy to be back and I am sure my experience will help Buffaloes. I know most of the players here and I will easily adapt"

"It felt so good [to score the penalty] because we normally [practice it] ; whenever we have a session, we train for it,"

"I never dreamt of being a footballer. I used to play Netball and I was very good at it but one day my teacher told me to try and play as a football goalkeeper and that’s how my career started like a joke."

"At the moment, batting is in front now, and judging from both – I can't judge, it's two different skills and I love them both," she acknowledged."

"I think the creation of a professional franchise women's league in South Africa needs to start happening in the next year or two. I think that is the only way we can start bridging the gap between our provincial set-up and the national team"

"I think this was the sweetest victory we had"

"We need to play more competitive franchise or club cricket throughout the year, and we can't just rely on four players that go to the WPL, the Hundred, or the Big Bash"

"It's been hard to cope with"

"For me, the support I offer is simple: when I'm on the pitch I feel compelled to win, even if it's just to bring a small moment of happiness to our people"

"I really had so much trouble that I had to change where I would stay"

"It means a lot to me, I've been trying to get it, and upon getting it, I was really emotional," said Shangase"

"Seeing the victims - children, mothers, fathers who've lost loved ones, and families torn apart - was heartbreaking"

"At the same time, I [had to remind myself] it's still not over, the game is still on, and I still need to wipe those tears and go back to carry on with the match."

"The injury almost made me lose hope of ever going to play and walk nicely on both legs but the unmatched love and care in New Zealand gave me some hope"

"I believed we could win the final, and that mentality drove me as I approached the box"

"I concentrated on the ball, not the penalty kick itself. I told myself, 'This is our chance to take the lead.' Luckily, I scored, and it means the world to me and the team. I'm relieved I didn't disappoint"

"Honestly, it was tough to think straight"

"I was emotional as I walked up to take the penalty kick"

"A typical day in my life is when I came back from maternity leave, balancing wasn't a walk in the park because every time I was thinking about my son when I left behind if he was okay or not and I ended up not full concentration in training, traveling days was my worst knowing that am going to leave my son behind for a while that, I use to call back every time but I’m grateful I picked up and got support from his dad"

"I do train age-grade kids, anytime I go for training I usually go with my son and he joins the under 9 years category, and when I have club games I normally go with him as he watches."

"I was praying in my head, 'God, help us,' while closing my eyes. Then, I just heard the scream, 'Goal"

"To those mothers in sports, I would say it's never easy raising a family while in sports but never give up doing what you love because you are a mother, let your kids be the motivation towards your goals"

"The mental picture of what could happen if I scored was what kept me believing and focused within those few secondsn"

"I have always found strength through my son, despite my busy schedule I celebrate being a mother and a professional player because it's not easy balancing in between."

"When we qualified, I told everyone it was possible and we could win it. I'm thrilled we achieved it together as a team, and I look forward to the opportunities that lie ahead"

"Every team comes here to become champions. Nothing is easy, but we are ready to give everything to go all the way"

"We stayed on our toes, even during the festive period. We were given individual programs to maintain our fitness and keep the momentum going. Having an early preseason has also been a big advantage, giving us more time to get ready."

"Our esteemed supporters are the 12th player on the field. I want to thank them for their continuous support and encourage them to keep coming in numbers to witness more great football at the stadium(s)"

"My priority is to help the team concede fewer goals so we can win more games. But football is evolving and defenders now play a crucial role in attacking too. I want to improve my ability to push forward, create opportunities and even score more goals."

"The mandate is clear—win every trophy we lost. It starts with winning COSAFA because that puts us in a strong position to compete for the CAF Women’s Champions League title. If we get another shot at competing Continentally, I believe we will perform better because we have already experienced that level"

"My actions yesterday are not representative of me as a person. I lost my cool in a heated match and acted in a way that leaves me disappointed in myself. To Yasmin in particular, I offer sincere apologies. I hope you are feeling fine today and only wish you the best going forward"

"The mood in the squad has been amazing heading into the new season. Playing for this team on its own carries a lot of pressure because we have set ourselves a very high standard. That means we have to push even harder to stay at the top."

"I also want to be part of building pathways for younger girls so that when they pick up a rugby ball, they already see a future in the sport."

"I hope South Africa will keep growing the game at the grassroots level so that we see more opportunities and investment in our athletes. The talent and passion is there – it’s now about building a structure that gives every young girl a chance to reach her potential"

"We respect the Springbok name deeply, but we also know that we’re writing our own story within it. We want to be known for our resilience, unity and courage"

"My personal goals are to keep growing as a player and leader and to continue representing South Africa in both sevens and fifteens."

"At the same time, speed and fitness had to come into play, especially in transitions. If I had to choose one thing it was our discipline and structure. That gave us a foundation to compete, to stick to our plan and to trust each other in the big moments"