Kasi woman footballer defies the odds
“I am inspired by my coach, he started playing eKasi and he never gave up.”
Soccer is a male-dominated sport at international level, but a select few women have successfully broken through the sport’s ‘glass ceiling’ and shone for all the world to see.
Women like Marta Vieira da Silva from Brazil have excelled in the sport and eventually attained the status of adored international idols of football.
Yet in South Africa, parents do not see the value of supporting their girl children to take part in the most beautiful game.
Sizanda Komane of Phomolong Ladies Football Club stands out as an exception.
The 21-year-old was fortunate enough to have a supportive mother who was also a dedicated soccer player.
A township woman footballer who aims to shine on the highest stage, Sizanda currently plays in the Absa Women’s League and is determined to be among the first women to play in the planned national women’s league.
“I started playing soccer when I was 12 years old. I was introduced to the sport by my mother who was also playing for Phomolong Ladies,” Sizanda says.
Phomolong Ladies FC was established in 1996, and since joining the club nine years ago Sizanda has never looked back.
According to Sizanda, the club was competing in the Absa Women’s League even when her mother was playing for the club.
“I went with my mother to her matches and that is where the soccer bug bit me. When my turn came to be on the pitch I was scared and I had a lack of confidence. I didn’t know how to handle the ball on the field, but through intense training I developed the skills gradually.”
Sizanda believes the club’s progress has been held back by lack of sponsorship for proper soccer kits for the players.
She previously had an opportunity to join Mamelodi Sundowns’ women’s team, but had to leave after about a month because of lack of finance.
“I couldn’t afford transport from the training sessions to my house, as the team knocked off late. I would be left stranded without transport after each training session.”
Asked about her favourite moments in the sport, Sizanda recalls a holiday in Mpumalanga when she was 16 and was picked to play for a local women’s team.
“At the end of that game I was chosen as the best woman player of the tournament. I got a trophy and the Mpumalanga community showed me love, they were very happy for me.”
But despite all the good moments, there have also been bad times and disappointments for Sizanda.
“There were times when the team couldn’t afford transport to be able to honour invitations to play matches in remote places like Daveyton.”
The midfielder says her coach is her mentor, as he is always part of the community and an immediate example, unlike the soccer players young people see on television and aspire to be like.
“I am inspired by my coach, he started playing eKasi and he never gave up.”
Sizanda is a firm believer in the value of women’s soccer and its contribution to the well-being of society.
“It prevents teenage pregnancy, because as a woman player you are occupied most of the time. There’s no time to engage in wayward activities that usually get girls into trouble.”
To help grow the game among women and girls, Sizanda says the government needs to organise regular coaching clinics to produce more women soccer coaches.
“I think what prevents girls from joining the soccer sport is the inability to confide in a male coach when a female soccer player encounters life challenges. Township women soccer teams need to produce more soccer stars, and it can only happen when influential stakeholders come on board to sponsor ladies in soccer.”
In the future, she would like to contribute to developing young talent, and to see to it that girls’ soccer is incorporated in all primary schools.
“As Phomolong Ladies FC we appeal to sponsors, both government and private sector, to assist us as township girls in soccer.” Interested parties can contact the club by emailing phomolongladiesfc@gmail.com
