Football is flowing in this woman’s veins

Born in Spruit at Hadebe Section in October 1986, Zwane developed a love for football at the tender age of six.

She said she played soccer with boys in the dusty streets of Spruit.

“It was not easy because I was harassed by boys. They were not used to seeing girls play soccer. I was also more talented and skillful than most of them were. I think they were jealous,” said Zwane, who has 10 caps for Banyana Banyana behind her name.

She went on to say that life-threatening situations led her family to move to Vosloorus.

“There were times where there were wars in the township and these led to my family moving from Spruit to Zonkizizwe. And from Zonkizizwe to Vosloorus,” said Zwane.

“My move to Vosloorus was a blessing in disguise as I found myself in the colours of the Vosloo Ladies’ FC at the age of 12. Three years later I joined Soweto Ladies’ FC where I was spotted by Joseph ‘Skheshe’ Mkhonza, who was a Banyana Banyana coach by then,” Zwane told Kathorus MAIL.

Zwane played her first game in Banyana Banyana colours during the African Women Championship qualification game against Nigeria at Vosloorus Stadium – the game that did not last 90 minutes.

“Fans invaded the stadium and caused violence because of the referee’s error,” said Zwane.

“We lost that game 1-0 and as a result, we did not qualify for the African Woman Championships. It was sad,” said Zwane.

Ladies at the time played soccer for fun and fame.

“There was no money but the fact that we were playing for the national team dressed in their colours and that our games were televised, made us push harder and made us love football,” said Zwane.

She said Leon van Ryne, who was her trainer then, took her to England to play for Hagenne FC.

“I played there in 2003 and 2004. Later I signed a five-year contract with Arsenal Ladies’ FC. At the end of my contract with Arsenal Ladies I came back to South Africa and played for Orlando Pirates Ladies until 2016,” said Zwane.

Currently, Zwane is the coach of her own boys’ soccer team, Bazooka FC, a team that is named after her nickname. “My team have three divisions: u-10, u-13 and u-15. I develop footballers from as young as five years old,” said Zwane.

She said she would like to start a ladies’ soccer tournament.

“I have seen many girls end up doing drugs and drinking alcohol because of boredom. I would like to do something to help them by starting a tournament that will keep them busy and away from drugs,” said Zwane.

The only challenge Zwane has, is that of sponsors.

“I would like to have someone donate the equipment I need to get the idea up and running.”