South African Senior Women’s football international, Mamello Makhabane, expressed her delight in earning her 50th cap for the national team last weekend.

The Banyana Banyana midfielder made her 50th appearance for her country last Saturday, 7 June in the International friendly match against Botswana at the Isak Steyl Stadium at the Vaal University of Technology, in Vanderbijil Park.

“It has been an honour to play for my country, and reaching 50 caps was not easy, there were moments when I thought my time is over in the National team,” said Makhabane

The 26-year-old made here national team debut on 27 May 2005 in an international friendly match against Zimbabwe also at the Isak Steyl Stadium at the Vaal University of Technology.

Makhabane admits the road to her 50th cap has been painful at times and she even thought her career was over when she failed to make the squad for the Olympics in London in 2012.

“I feel like I have gone full circle, I don’t know whether it was a coincidence that I played my 50th cap where it all started for me,” she added.

“It was very painful when I had to withdraw from the team. I had worked hard for the team to qualify for the Olympics, but I had to accept it.

“I managed to pull through, and it’s a blessing to be back in the team. I have to continue working hard and help the team to qualify for the 2015 Women’s World Cup.”