Ezamzukwana with Fikile “16 Sithole

Fikile “16” Sithole started playing football in the early 80’s. This midfield maestro formed part of the first Banyana Banyana squad that was put together in 1993. She has patriotically served the country playing the beautiful game. She is now a coach and she holds a couple of football coaching certificates from both SAFA and KNVB. Fikile is also an ambassador for “Fair Play for Africa” and she is also a volunteer HIV and Aids Educator.

 

“I believed football was for created men”

I was 7 years old when I started playing football. I mostly played for teams around my township. I played for Exprolux, Inter Africa and Hot Spurs and those were all boys’ teams. I finally found a home in another boys’ team called Liverpool Football Club in Meadowlands and I played there for years. Arthur “10111” Zwane was my team mate for many years and we played the same position at Liverpool. We all lived in the same neighbourhood and during those years the club was owned by his family. I also played with players like Sibusiso Mazibuko, Linda Buthelezi, Andries Mpondo , Samuel Ngobeni. These are some of the few names which made it professionally. Realistically speaking, all I knew then was that I loved football and I was talented.  I never even dreamt of playing professionally because then I believed football was for created men. So there was no way I could have had a vision of playing football professionally. I was just passing time then. Nevertheless that mentality changed during my teens.

“A stepping stone”

It was difficult playing football as a woman in the 80’s. There was a scarcity of women’s teams. We were longing to play and compete against other women. Playing as curtain raisers in the “BOB Save Super Bowl” gave us a stepping stone.  There was a gentleman by the name of Maxon “Giant” Sambo, who worked for the First National Bank in those days. He told his task was to put together a ladies team. That ladies team was going play as curtain-raisers during the “BOB Save Super Bowl”. He then collected us all from various boys’ teams in Gauteng and we were a talented bunch.  At the “BOB Save Super Bowl” we played against a mixed race team from KZN. I am not sure if they were a registered team or they were picked out just like us.

“The best women’s club that ever existed”

Once, I met with the other women players from Gauteng. We all came together and we decided to form our own club. We named it Soweto Ladies Football Club it was the best women’s club that ever existed in those days. Soweto Ladies Football Club was established on the 14^th October 1989. I am one of the founders and it was the first women’s team that I played for. My other co founders were S’bongile Khumalo, Patricia Kgaratse, Nelly Mthembu, Phumla Masuku, Khabo Zitha and Gloria Hlalele. 

“I was at my peak”

Banyana Banyana was formed in 1993.  There were lots of women’s football teams emerging in the country then. Every year in September we attended the Inter Provincial Tournament.  That year I formed part of the squad which represented Southern Gauteng. It was at that event where I was 9 of the players from Soweto Ladies selected for Banyana Banyana. I really cannot explain how I felt then but all I can say is, I wish I could relive the day I was selected for the first time. I was at my peak, I was on fire. At that moment then, I could see myself moving up maybe even playing abroad in few a years’ time. Everything was on point my fitness, discipline and the support from my team mates. In fact, every aspect was in my favour and I knew it was my opportunity to shine. In my first year with Banyana Banyana we went away for a month to compete in the Gothia Cup an annual youth tournament held in Sweden. The same year we travelled to Norway for the Norwegian Cup and we also competed in the Danish Cup in Denmark. In 1994 we played all three tournaments again.

 

“We thought we were going for greener pastures”

In 1995 S’bongile Khumalo and I went to Sweden we signed for a season with Oxaback Marc IF. We were very excited when we left SA because we thought we were going to greener pastures. At Oxaback we were both converted from our usual positions.  I was moved from central midfield to a wing back position and S’bongile from a central defender to a striker. We excelled in those positions and we were regulars on the score sheet. Our training sessions there were tough but effective. The standard was high and women’s football was taken seriously in Sweden. We had the support and stands were always filled to capacities. I really enjoyed playing there. But we were unhappy with the fact that we neither received any spending money nor did we get paid. The club only organised accommodation and groceries which was not enough for us. It was battle to survive. At the end of that season we opted not to renew our contracts. We packed our bags and we came back home. I had completely lost interest. I felt it was better for me to struggle at home than in a foreign country.

“I was not bitter”

When I arrived from Sweden I was selected for the Inter Provincial Tournament once more. I had no problem with the selection because I was super fit and still fresh from Sweden. After the finals of that tournament I was selected for Banyana Banyana again. We did not really get paid when we played for the national team then. But the advantage was, through Banyana Banyana we got to see many countries. Countries we have never dreamt of and we enjoyed that very much. I am also proud I got an opportunity to play with the three most remarkable players. Firstly, Khabo Zitha a striker, she was the team’s comedian but a hard worker scoring goals left, right and centre. Second player S’bongile Khumalo a defender, also very playful but she was a no nonsense defender in the field of play. Last but not least Astrid February now Van Kesteren a goalkeeper, an excellent ball-stopper. She had good communication skills I could hear her shouting from the back and her messages would reach me in the midfield. Every time, I played with those three ladies I knew we were going to win no matter what. Overall the entire squad showed patriotism, passion and unity. The kind of football we played then was appreciated and applauded by the masses in and outside SA.

I played there until 2001 and then I was dropped. I do not know why I was dropped and I was not bitter about it. My opinion is that with regards to the national team you get your chance and you use it or you waste it. The fact is that new and younger players will come and replace you. Sometimes it has to do with the changing of coaches. A new coach makes changes by bringing in some of his own players to make matters simpler for her or him. The advantage is that those players already have a relationship with the coach and they have good understanding of his or her style of play. Besides, we all know that women’s teams do not get regular camps. We are usually only called to report for camp one or two weeks before major competitions. That definitely saves time for both the technical staff and players. 

“Attendance at training sessions it’s a joke”

Young girls today are not as committed as we were. We were disciplined, respectful and we wanted to play.  Some players today have to be begged to attend a match; I am not even going to talk about attendance at training sessions it’s a joke. The difference is huge. We never missed training sessions not even when we were sick unless if it was very serious. It makes me sad. I think workshops should be organised to encourage players. Female coaches should be the main drivers during the workshops as the programs will be created to motivate young girls. Not that we are excluding male coaches but they can observe for this one.  

 

“The relegation was a blessing in disguise”

Soweto Ladies were relegated from the Sasol League to the Absa League.  I feel that the relegation was a blessing in disguise as there were lots of problems within the club then.  There was even a period when I personally left the club. I later returned to the club because the club was dying. I am currently the Head Coach and S’bongile Khumalo is the Assistant Coach for Soweto Ladies. We had to revive the club and all the players that we have now are new and young. I am really not in a rush to move up to Sasol League as yet. My aim is to instil football in my players’ minds, get them to love and appreciate the game. Even if I can get promoted after two years I do not mind. I know the players will be ready then. And I assure you when we get to Sasol we are going to be untouchable and unstoppable.

“It is difficult to run a club from your own pocket”

Our current state of women’s football does not overwhelm me.  I think as coaches we still have a lot of work to do. SAFA can also assist us by getting their move on and start securing more sponsorship for women’s leagues. If that is done then coaches can fully commit and focus on their quest. It is difficult to run a club from your own pocket if you are unemployed. Perhaps also more PSL clubs can adopt female’s teams and provide them with equipment and transport. We can also attract sponsors by being curtain raisers for the PSL teams during their matches. I believe that supporters will start showing interest if they get acquainted with our game. We can really use the financial support and it is true happy coaches can motivate players. If we can improve that only then can we compete and win against great women football playing countries. Undoubtedly, financial assistance is a definite requirement.

“Show me your number”

In 2009 the late Glen Makhado introduced me to “Show me your number”. “Show me your number” is a NPO. Former football stars work as volunteers and they run HIV and AIDS campaigns through sports. We do our courses through “Soul City”. Being part of these campaigns helped me a lot. First of all two of my siblings have passed away recently. My brother died from TB, he was HIV positive and my sister died from meningitis and she was also HIV positive. My involvement in the organisation taught me to open up. At first it was hard there were no elders in my family to talk to about my siblings passing, as I am the oldest. I was even afraid to go and test but I ended up going and now I am glad to say I know my status. I can now talk comfortably about the disease. I am even able to advice those who are infected and affected by HIV and Aids. I do not see myself leaving this organisation sooner or later for the reason that it has changed my life. We are currently seeking funds to keep the campaigns running.

“It is time for women to get high coaching positions”

 I think SAFA should give the former players who are still involved in football the opportunity to coach the young national teams for example under 15, under 17 and under 20 squads. That will help the coach with working experience at national level. I am mentioning this because in five years’ time, I see myself being a Banyana Banyana Head Coach. That is my dream and I am determined to accomplish it. They must not get rid of male coaches but they can give us guidance and support from behind. It is time for women to get high coaching positions in male dominated sporting codes.  I am proud of the fact that I am a role model to the girls that play football. I give them advice from time to time. I always tell them that education must come first and football can come second in their lives. “Football cannot play substitute to Education but Education can substitute Football” in your life. And, I also tell them that they can earn respect by giving respect.

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