From rural villages of Eastern Cape to African champion

Varsity Football caught up with former UKZN women’s captain Kholosa Biyane, who recently won the WAFCON with Banyana Banyana in Morocco.

The 28-year-old hails from Clarkebury in the Eastern Cape and her story paints a portrait of how a constant pursuit of dreams can change one’s life.

The Banyana Banyana international began her football career at Canaan Academy in iDutywa – playing with ‘the boys’.

She inherited her love for football from her father who she says helped her to discover her dream of playing for Banyana Banyana.

Biyane moved to Durban to study at DUT and then moved to UKZN where her football career kicked off.

She captained the UKZN team in their inaugural season of the Varsity Women’s Football tournament in 2018. Her consistent performances attracted interest from various professional clubs.

“Varsity Football and University Sports helped me get exposed to playing at a higher level which prepared me for national team football,” the Banyana Banyana international tells Varsity Football.

The midfielder went on to join UWC, working closely with Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis’ assistant, Thinasonke Mbuli.

After competing locally, she joined her Banyana teammates abroad when joined the Spanish second division side, Sporting Gijon – increasing the number of Banyana players who are now plying their trade abroad.

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“It’s great to be a champion and I’m happy that I helped the team to win the championship. It was the biggest achievement,” she explained.

“I am part of the first South African to win the AFCON. And I know that no one can take that feeling away from me.

“We worked together as a team. We were so close that we became a family. And it was easier to win games.”

With her contract with Gijon having come to an end, the midfield maestro said being consistent and playing regularly for the national team will be key for her next step.

She added that she hopes women’s football in South Africa will be professionalised so that more ladies can have more opportunities to enable South Africa to compete with the best teams in the world.

The 2022 edition of Women’s Varsity Football takes place from October 9 to 14.

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