Andile Dlamini touched on how a professional football changed her life and why she wants to leave a legacy in the beautiful game.
Check it out!
Read: SuperSport United Reveals Second New Sponsor
The story
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and Banyana Banyana star goalkeeper, Andile Dlamini, shared a special message to commemorate the start of Women's Month.
Dlamini and her Sundowns Ladies are set to jet off to the United States for the 2024 Women's Cup tournament in Kansas City, where they will play alongside Atletico de Madrid, the Kobe women's team from Japan, and hosts Kansas City Current.
This year's Women's Cup tournament will take place over two matchdays on 14 and 17 August and Masandawana's women's team being the first African club to be invited to the tournament.
It's a glorious opportunity for the Sundowns Ladies to test their mettle against some of the world's most talented players, with their entry into the tournament being facilitated through the club's consultancy partnership with the Roc Nation Sports International (RNSI) agency.
On the eve of the tournament, and at the start of Women's Month, Dlamini has opened up about what it means to be living her dream as a professional footballer and how the game turned her into a breadwinner:
"I believe that women have the power to achieve anything they set their minds to. The struggles I had getting into football, I had no boots at one point, I played with my takkies. A professional contract changed my life.
"I'm able to support my family because I'm the breadwinner," she stated in a video posted by The Women's Cup social media team and which was produced by RNSI's Production studio.
"As a woman, it's not easy playing football in Africa because not all teams actually support their women. A lot of girls and teams are struggling with getting sponsorships. I'm just grateful to be a part of it, and I pray that a lot of girls receive the opportunity to get a professional contract because it changes your life," she added.
The CAF Women's AFCON winner has achieved a fair amount in her career so far and is eager to leave behind a sizable legacy in South African women's football for the next generation of stars.
"I would just want to see the biggest inspiration, like Nelson Mandela, you know what he has done for this country. He has given us freedom to express ourselves, I want to leave that legacy as well. I want to lay the foundation for the young up-and-coming generation.
"It's all about us teaching them, and actually sharing the knowledge that we have for football. I hope to inspire young women around the world to achieve their dreams, believe in yourself and work hard!" she concluded.
Read: Sekhukhune's New Coach On Settling Into Life In SA
Watch below:
