Swart: Dlamini Is Fashioned To Reign
By Malose Wa Ga Lamola
Banyana Banyana goalkeeper, Kaylin Swart, in action. Photo Cred: Backpagepix
Football analyst and SAFA Marketing Senior & Commercial Manager, Amanda Dlamini at Supersport studios in Randburg. Photo Cred: @Amanda_Dlamini9 official Twitter account.
Thunderbirds Ladies FC star player, Philisa Mjambane, won player of the match accolade against Tsunami Queens in the Super League.
The end to everything can be sudden and brutal, where pity isn't a word and mercy isn't known. Death has a tendency of sneaking in and strike when least expected, knows no stature and identity, it hits in the same devastating manner. South African football fraternity learnt about the sudden passing of Banyana Banyana kit manager Alleta 'Skhokho' Ngidi.
JVW Girls Football Club and Banyana Banyana goalkeeper, Kaylin Swart, says the larger than life Ngidi will certainly be missed in Banyana camps and 1her absence will be felt. “Death is never something we can plan for, and the passing of Aletta , really hit us hard. She was a big part of our team and forever will be. Her spirit will live in all of us as we try and move on from this tragic passing. Every day in camp from now on out will be tough but her energy and love she had for us will live on and we can only remember her for being that motherly figure to many of us and we will miss her dearly.” Said Swart.
Amanda Dlamini is not an astronaut but her ascendance to the very top of the sky scraper is more similar to those shooting out from the face of the earth onto the space. More like a precision missile. The trajectory was so perfect that she landed herself a lucrative job at Nasrec. Her appointment as the Senior Marketing and Commercial Manager at South African Football Association (SAFA) is a huge victory for women in football. 'Toki' is more fond with the sound of studs- a more like philharmonic orchestra where bum notes are not permitted- as she walks out of tunnels to grace the pitch with her presence. She has since substituted that melodic rhythm with 2 inch ankle straps high heels Stilettos sandals topped with a suit and tie.
Though she'll be tackling the business side of the Association but she is ought to leave her shins bare with no protection from pads- no shin pads are allowed in the boardroom. Swart says Dlamini is fashioned to reign “Amanda is one hell of a player and human being, her appointment at SAFA is a huge deal for women’s football. She has always been an icon in the women’s game in our country and this now just shows what she is capable of and we wish her well. We know she will do great things for us.”
A staunch Merseyside Red supporter, idolizing former Liverpool skipper, Steven Gerrard. 'Slim Skat' follows Hope Melia Solo more religiously and is modeling her game around the former United States of America goal minder. Though, Swart shuts her eyes and sees the next Solo in herself but she can become a better version of 'Stevie G.' The Gqeberha born star has some great dance moves but with no gloves on, she is a pure class six, with better moves than those in sync with Amapiano.
South African U-17 coach and football pundit, Simphiwe Dludlu, believes 'Slim Kat' has swift skills even better than her teammates. "Slim Kat, she has amazing football skills. Better than some infield players." Said Dludu.
Slim Kat can dribble and giggle after a perfect shibobo "She loves laughing." Added coach Dludlu.
Sasol as the torchbearer of women's football in the country has been shouldering a heavy load of taking women's football to greater heights- the petroleum giant remains a solo headline sponsor of Banyana Banyana for over a decade- also sponsors the second tier league, Sasol League.
A good product indeed augurs well for potential sponsors. Hollywoodbets has since joined the fray and takes the responsibility of taking care of the elite league in sponsoring the Super League. Best player of the match in the National League takes home R2000 and a trophy. Former Under-20 captain is happy to see the sports betting franchise putting money into football “Yes, Sasol has been by our side for 10+ years and we could never thank them enough for the support over the years, and the success that women’s football had so far is our gift back to them to show that we appreciated them then and now. We can only do our best as Banyana Banyana to continue to show the appreciation. Now that Hollywoodbets have come on board to help grow the National League is something remarkable and it shows that we are getting somewhere. We will prove day in and day out that we as women’s footballers deserve to be taken seriously and we thank Hollywoodbets for backing us up and hope that it continues in the right direction.”
May has been a great month for the Randburg based outfit. JVW Football Club won major personal accolades at the regional awards, Gabriela Salgado' goal was declared the best of the month and Alexia Cassar walked away with the best coach accolade. Swart is a firm believer of the cynical adage: You reap what you sow. Says it all goes down to the hard work and determination put in by the team. “Development football has been an issue in SA, due to resources and commitment, however JVW thrives on making the best of what we have and producing the next generation of talents, it is a testimony of the owners and the vision this club has to grow women’s football. In my opinion JVW knows how to recruit talent and that talent grows the club, our coaches are dedicated to the tasks and that’s all we can ask for as players. If you ask what they doing right? It comes down to the love of the game and the vision they have for the club and passion for growth.”
It is every player’s dream to play his or her football abroad. Slim Kat is no different. She has her sight on a possible move to ply her trade overseas but if it doesn’t come, she’ll be happy to continue wearing the colors of JVW. Swart declares the affection she has with JVW “Playing abroad will always be on my mind, and yes, I would love to go abroad but if it doesn’t happen, I will dedicate my time playing here at JVW and making the most of the opportunity to represent a club I love so dearly.”
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Swart left Gqeberha for Gauteng when she joined South African Football Association’s High Performance Centre (HPC) based in Tshwane. The 26-year old goalie moved to the United States Of America to play her football in the U.S Collegiate level, turning out for Menlo Oaks. Slim Kat has since played in two World Cup tournaments. First the under 20 world cup in 2010 before making a senior national team world cup debut with Banyana Banyana in 2019. Swart says College football is huge in the US and she enjoyed every minute of it. “My time in the USA, was the best time of my life. College football is huge in the US and many players have a career going from college to the real world. What helped me a lot in the US is adapting to the environment and taking adversity and turning it into a positive. Every day was a struggle but playing there was great, I had a great team and I just did what I loved and that was saving goals and thriving for clean sheets every game. I dedicated all my achievements to the coaches I had during my time in the US.” Swart wrapped up.
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