"What makes it easier is that I have walked the same path many of these players are on. I know what they are fighting for. I am here to guide them—with honesty and experience."

"I am excited for what lies ahead and ready to continue building a legacy that empowers the next generation."

"I want to do more talking on the field of play."

"Sometimes you've to go to camp, while you have assignments. So it’s daunting but doable."

"Age is just a number, as long as I can still play and run, that is what matters most."

"The only problem that we have as Africans going overseas is our development."

"It’s actually not easy to juggle school and football."

"Being a coach is not as easy as everyone thinks. There are so many aspects of the game that you have to pay close attention to. You need to understand the mindset of the players, as well as their mentality to buy into your philosophy. Being a coach also makes one understand the psychological aspects of the game because I am now able to understand the frustrations of a player when things are not going according to plan. Overall, by becoming a coach, I have gained a broader understanding of the game."

"Consistency is very important, it builds the team's confidence."

"My football career started at the age of 13. I was very hyped and excited for football, playing for the national team and my team. I was just enjoying the fact that I’m playing football."

"I believe if our league can have more sponsors it would help teams to build good structures and prepare properly for the league and games."

"Education is very important. I know I love football and I know I can make a living out of it but things are different in South Africa, as we do not have a professional league here."

"I don’t like to be relaxed. When it’s my time to move, it’s my time to move. I wake up in the morning and pray. After that, I go for a run. Then I train with some boys. On Sundays, we play matches."

"But it’s tough. Especially when there’s no women’s team. Because where do you start? Hopefully one day it will change. Hopefully I can be part of that change."

"To Market more women’s football games and promote each team just as much as the top teams."

"Sometimes, I feel like quitting but I have one goal; to finish this year even if it means crawling to the finish line."

"I’m really grateful and I know the people from home are very proud of me. We play very good football in Hammersdale and there aren’t a lot of girls that play football."

"I want for other learners to know that there are opportunities in sports and if they continue studying doors could open, let your talent make room for you."

"I believe that this says a lot about women’s football in general in South Africa. It means women’s football is growing in a positive manner. Each and every staff member and players gave their best and that’s why we were able to get the gold medal at the end of the tournament. This is a positive sign for the future of our national team."

"It’s also about working hard and not giving up. Because when you love something you’ve got to go the extra mile."

"I know there will come a stage when I won’t be able to play professional football."

"I had to make a decision on my own, that I wanted to be a professional footballer."

"I’m the only girl in our home, and my father used to play football. So, I started playing football at the age of 6 with a boys’ team. To be honest, I’ve been lucky to have my family’s support. Even though they got scared for me at times, of getting injured, specially playing with boys, but they kept supporting me. My mother even used to take me to my trainings."

"My love for football goes beyond just playing the game to the best of my ability. I love all facets of the game and being a coach excites me. While I was abroad, I had the privilege of interacting with several people who broadened my holistic understanding of the game. My journey thus far as a coach has been an interesting one because it has opened my eyes to several ideas about what goes on before, during and after the game."

"There is always something that feels unfulfilled when I wake up."

"So, I'm happy because it makes me feel at peace knowing that I can make a mistake and they will correct me. Also, knowing it's comfortable that they are happy for me to be here and it's good."

"I’ve got something to do on this planet and whatever that purpose is keeps me going."

"It's gonna mean the world, I really love presenting the country."

"I am motivated that women’s football has been understated for a long time, now at least we have an opportunity to play. My mom used to tell me how she loved football but they never got the chance to play."

"Barriers are only in the mind. If you truly want something, do whatever it takes. Invest in yourself if you’re not getting the support you desire."

"It is extremely important to be mentally tough."

"Development is key. 100%."

"There are many things that go on that people from the outside don’t understand, but as a person I understand myself, I know how I operate, I know when I need a break, I know when I’m having a breakdown, I know when my body says 'no' and when it says 'yes', so I have to listen to it."

"I demand more of myself and my teammates. I want to win things – this is where my teammates and I are supposed to show up. This is where we are supposed to show the world who we are, right?"

"I love the face beats, lipsticks, eyelashes – just everything about it. I love everything about it. You know what, Puma, let’s just end it there because I can just go on and on about Puma!"

"Indeed, as female footballers, we do value education highly because it's simple: We are not paid enough to make a living out of the game, whereas our male counterparts can play, say, for 10 or even five years and make enough money in order to make a living if they use their funds properly. So, there is a huge gap in terms of we know that we are not being paid well and the money that we make cannot sustain us for the rest of our lives or for a longer period of time, so we opt to navigate towards education. That is so that we are able to secure full-time jobs on the side, or even after football. We need that more than our male counterparts."

"Life has been amazing, spending time with my family and that’s what I’ve been longing for many years, as you know as a professional athlete you travel a lot ... you don’t get time to sit down. I don’t know if players talk about it, I’m taking time to take care of my mental health."

"I command and organise when needed. I also understand the need to encourage and push the team to stay on top of our game."

"NEVER give up. Always lift your head up. Always be positive."

"I was always involved in sport. I used to be the only girl at school or back home playing with the boys. At school I tried all sports that were available, but I enjoyed football more than anything"

"So, there's a lot more than just being a coach, there's a lot you can do in football and contribute to the game."

"Football is not just about becoming a great player it’s also about becoming a great person."

"Honestly I do, I feel like the hard work is paying off but I realise that I still have a lot to learn, a lot to improve on and consistently playing is helping me improve a lot, so I'm grateful for that."

"It was also one of his dreams to see me playing abroad, he would be very proud and happy for me now. My dad was very supportive with my career and came to watch each and every game I played, coaching me here and there. I know I am where I am today because of him."

"I own it because it gives me so much pride in being a woman in a space mostly deemed as a men's sport."

"Oh, I love those people. They treat me like a human being – like a girl. Let me tell you when we go and do shoots, they just hire a whole makeup crew to pamper me and I love that."

"My inspiration is to take South African football forward."

"When I talk about mental health, I’m not saying I wanted to kill myself. You get tired as a person, that’s why there is sick leave, and people go on vacations, I needed that."

"Before achieving everything that we achieved, we set goals and said this is what we want at this time. And we achieved everything, every goal that was set."

"I think for me we need people to come and watch our games."