Players need to put food on the table – Dludlu
SA Under-17 women's team coach Simphiwe Dludlu supports Gauteng MEC for Sports, Arts, Culture and Recreation Faith Mazibuko following her statement on trying to push women footballers to get the same incentives as of the of their male counterparts.
U17 women’s team coach coach Simphiwe Dludlu (Aubrey Kgakatsi/BackpagePix)
Dludlu, however, says there has been too much talk and it is about time action takes place.
Dludlu, who retired in 2014 having played for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and Banyana, says women footballers are passionate about playing but they need to put food on the table.
“I think the most passionate people in the country playing football is women, because we play without getting anything in return, except that T-shirt, track-suits and obviously when you get to the national team is a bit different,” said Dludlu.
“But I always say passion doesn’t pay the bills, talking is not enough, these things need to be implemented. As women, you find yourself having to find a job, being in school and you also play football, which is different from men.”
The Bantwana coach also revealed that she was forced into retiring.
“I had to retire because I had to put food on the table, playing forever doesn’t give you that much. And again, not having a professional league also doesn’t make it easy for women footballers.”
