Lesego Nhlapho (box-to-box midfielder): A rose among boys
The absence of a female soccer division in Dhlamini has not stopped this 15 year old from playing the sport she loves.
The tough-tackling Lesego Nhlapo prefers to play in the middle of the park, blessed with quick passing ability and an engine for days. She is a box-to-box midfielder who might score the winning goal or shut down an opposition counter-attack at the opposite end.
Although Nhlapo is currently playing in Super Spurs colours, she initially began playing soccer playing with her brothers on the yard at the age of 9, from there she moved to street football. It was here that her coach, Siphiwe Tsotetsi spotted her talent at the age of 12.
“She was already well known in the township,” said Tsotetsi.
“I went there to watch her play myself. Immediately I saw her potential and encouraged her to play organized sports.”
Unfortunately, the Southern Zone branch of the Soweto Football Association does not yet have a ladies division, which meant that if Nhlapho wanted to play formal football, she would have to play in the boys’ division.
Since joining in 2016, Nhlapo has grown to become a key figure for Spurs. She recently played all matches for the sides’ U15s up to their semi-final defeat to Phiri Saint-German in the Siphiwe Tsotesti Challenge recently held in Soweto.
On arriving at the club; the midfielder said she had not received any form of mistreatment from her team-mates or opposition teams.
“They (teammates and opposition teams) have been great, they treat me like everyone else, I get tackled, if you can throw tackles, you must also be able to take them, and I throw plenty. Everyone just wants to win the game here, no one is looking at the girl on the field,” said Nhlapo.
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While Nhlapo has no problem going toe to toe with the boys, she jokingly confessed that she would much rather see herself in a Banyana Banyana national team shirt than a Bafana Bafana one in future.
“My dream is making into the Banyana Banyana national team, and not that I mind playing with the boys, but it would also be nice to have a female division league,” said Nhlapo.
Her wish may come true sooner rather than later, that is according to Tsotetsi, who is also the Deputy Chairperson of the Soweto Football Association.
“It is something we are still negotiating with all the parties involved. Of course, there is a lot to consider, including equipment, facilities and number of players. But we can confirm that we interested in forming a females league and we are on the lookout for potential sponsors who can help us in forming a female division,” said Tsotesti.
On her idols, the left-footed midfielder said she looked up to former Banyana Banyana star, Amanda Dlamini.
“Amanda Dlamani has been the biggest influence on me, but I also look up to the current squad of Banyana Banyana. I think they are a special group who make history for ladies soccer in the country,” said Nhlapo.
Nhlapo’s presence in the division has paved the way for other girls to join in, Palesa Monyai (15) and Silindile Dlamini(14) have also become regulars for their respective teams in the Southern Zone branch of the Soweto Football Association.
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