VANDERBIJLPARK.- North West University (NWU) Vaal has appointed Precious Dhlamini as the head coach of the ladies soccer team.

Dhlamini who is the former NWU Vaal ladies team striker has already started with her job in preparation for the upcoming Sasol Women League scheduled to kick-off in three weeks’ time. She was on the bench when NWU Vaal Ladies FC played in a tournament against Mamelodi Sundowns recently. T

he appointment of Dhlamini was confirmed to Sedibeng Ster Sport by NWU Vaal Football Manage,r Thomas Thema. Dhlamini’s experience will be key to guiding the team as a former soccer player herself having played for Bloemfontein Celtics Ladies FC and having a short stint with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team. She started her football career playing in the dusty streets of Sharpeville playing with boys and her love for soccer forced her parents to find her a team. Dhlamini grew up playing with and against boys. At the age of 13  she joined the Nale Football Academy. Dhlamini was named the Futballing Girls Sports Women Of The year in 2020. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Dhlamani said she was delighted to be appointed as the head coach for the NWU Vaal Ladies FC. She told Sedibeng Ster Sport that coaching is not a path that just anyone can walk. Her dream is to see herself coaching some big women soccer teams in the country including the national women soccer teams. She is one of the few women soccer players in Sedibeng to attended coaching courses, armed with D-Licence.

She told Sedibeng Ster Sport that she wants to further her  coaching career and do a C-Coaching Licence. No doubt, Dhlamini is set to follow in the footsteps of successful women coaches such as Desree Ellis, Simphiwe Dludlu and Madou Khumalo.

“I feel blessed honestly from playing and now being head coach of the same institution that I played for and studied at. This is a remarkable journey for my football career, and it happened sooner than expected. I want to thank Thomas Thema for the confidence he showed to me to lead this bunch of exciting players who happen to be my former teammates. I have big dreams in coaching, and I want to empower myself as much as I can as far as coaching is concerned,” she said. Former Banyana Banyana and SAFA Technical Director Fran Hilton-Smith also congratulated Dhlamini in her appointment.

Apart from football, Dhlamini will be graduating in her Degree in Sports Management in June.