LIMPOPO – When 25-year-old Andile Mudau had to choose a career, she decided against a profession traditionally associated with women. Instead, the determined young woman chose to become a soccer referee.

Mudau is already making a name for herself in the male-dominated world of football officiating, regularly taking charge of Safa Vhembe League matches.

A dream born at 15

Born in the Tshivhungululu area, she developed a passion for soccer at an early age.

“I started dreaming about soccer when I was only 15 years old,” she said.

Unlike many young football enthusiasts who dream of becoming professional players, Mudau set her sights on officiating matches at the highest level.

Her dedication and hard work are already paying off. On July 18, she was selected to officiate the Safa Vhembe Champs of Champs final played at Thohoyandou Stadium, a significant milestone in her refereeing career.

PSL and World Cup dreams

Mudau hopes to one day officiate in the PSL and ultimately, at the Fifa World Cup. She views every local league match as another step towards achieving that goal.

“My dream is to officiate PSL matches and, one day, the Fifa World Cup. Every game I referee is a stepping stone towards reaching that goal,” she said.

Mudau believes referees should be judged on their ability, rather than their gender.

“People should judge me on my performance,” she said.

Respected on the field

Despite the challenges often associated with being a female referee in a male-dominated sport, Mudau said she has always been treated with respect on the field.

“I apply the laws of the game fairly and consistently, and that earns me respect from players and officials. The fact that I’m a woman has nothing to do with my authority on the pitch.

“I’ve never been assaulted or disrespected during my refereeing career. As long as you do your job professionally and apply the rules correctly, people respect your decisions,” she said.