The strength and participation in women’s football are at a peak in this day and age, with media attention and professionalism growing in the women’s game.
Locally, the NWU Tawana women’s team has achieved some impressive results in the past decade and has delivered top- quality players who strive to grow the women’s game with every pass and goal.
Dineo Sekhute, the captain of the NWU Women’s Football team, is one of these talented players who has risen to new heights since playing her first match for the club nine years ago.
Sekhute currently stays in Aksiepark, Promosa, having also been schooled at Promosa Secondary School – the place where her love for football started.
“My brother, Sello Sekhute, originally motivated me to play football. He is also my biggest mentor. I used to play netball, but because of my height disad- vantage, I could not go further in the sport. My brother was injured in soccer and that motivated me to pick up from where he left off. Now, I am fulfilling my brother’s journey and my journey to show that injuries did not shut me down but lifted me up to continue playing football,” she says whole-heartedly.
Sekhute is now the primary leader as captain on the field. As an NWU player, she has absorbed football knowledge like a sponge, learning about the sport at every opportunity.
“Communication is important in soccer; you have to let your teammate know what’s happening on the field. You learn how to do things, on and off the field. You have to work together as a team and as an individual. This is what I’ve learnt from football,” explains Sekhute.
Her greatest achievements include qualifying for the Sasol Women’s football national playoffs in Durban in 2012. Individually, she also won a Diski Queen award as the top player in 2015 and a few “Player of the Season” awards.
“As women, we no longer see football as only a men’s game. We can stand up for ourselves. We can be the future of tomorrow in football.
You can be someone that the players and the broader community look up to. Sasol gives women internships and the PSL league for women’s teams also started in 2019 (Women’s National League), so it has improved,” she elaborates.
“My future in football lies in coaching, to show that, even if I did not make it as a player, I could help youngsters in football to reach their potential. I am also currently coaching u.8 and u.10 teams.
“My heroes are African women in football, Portia Modise, Janine van Wyk, Desiree Ellis, Mpumi Nyandeni and Anna Monate,” says Sekhute, who is also a big Kaizer Chiefs FC fan.
Even though football is her great passion, she also emphasises the importance of using the skills learnt in football outside the pitch.
“Be yourself, be on time, respect others and learn to know one another. Education must come first, even if you are a great footballer.”
Sekhute finishes off with a statement of appreciation for the top coaches who have shaped her into the footballer and person she is today.
“Our coaches, Michael Seleka, Alfa Dolopi, Lucky Xhaba and Belinda Nkosi encourages and motivates me to be a leader.”
