ETS female player signs with Barcelona FC academy
Education Through Soccer player motivates other youngsters after signing with Barcelona in Canada.
Fourteen -year-old young female footballer Nibonile ‘Nibo’ Dlamini has taken her football career to better heights after recently signing to a Barcelona Football Club satellite academy in Canada.
This former Education Through Sport (ETS) academic player was scouted after being part of a squad which was selected to compete in a tournament in Spain last month.
One of her proud coaches Paradise Serame Moeketsi told Roodepoort Northsider that the Banyana Banyana Junior player was fortunate enough to get an opportunity to try out in Canada after playing in Spain.
Moeketsi added that Nibonile was also rumoured to be eyed by Juventus Football Club.
Another ETS coach Shawn Tuffney indicated that Nibonile is enjoying herself at the new academy but has a duty of training and representing her national side.
“Nibo is doing extremely well. She is enjoying her football. When she returns from camp, she will be joining Banyana Banyana for a week of training,”Tuffney explained.
Moeketsi added that Nibo’s latest achievement has encouraged other young players in the academy to give it all. “We told them [players] when we brought them to the academy that we are creating opportunities for them and it is evident with Nibonile.”
“All the players are very excited for Nibonile, and this move has been an encouragement to the boys,” Moeketsi highlighted.
Nibonile was the only female player training at ETS which made her defy the stereotype attached to women pursuing a career in football and leads by example.
“They always say playing [soccer] is only is a boys sport but I’ve ignored the stereotype and chose to keep playing and staying confident,” Nibo said.
The young star has been playing soccer since the age of seven and has been motivated by her pleased mother to stay focus on career.
“My mom is very proud of me and she motivates me to do my best during times even when I don’t feel the best about my game,” Nibo explained.
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