Potent goal-getter Nthabiseng Majiya, from Philippolis, has been rewarded with a tour to England for her impressive performance in the South African women’s football league.
She is among five players selected to tour England and fortify their football skills by learning from the Brentford FC women’s team based in West London.
The other players partaking are Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Andisiwe Mgcoyi, Bambanani Mbane and Regirl Ngobeni. The players are expected back in the country on Friday (20/01).
The week-long tour serves as acknowledgement of performance at their respective clubs in the league competition.
The players won top awards in the 2021 and 2022 season of the Hollywood Super League.
Influential Nthabiseng (18) scooped the young player of the season award for both seasons. Currently playing for Richmond Ladies FC, based in De Aar in the Northern Cape, she was also in the running for the prestigious Golden Boot award, presented to the player who scores most goals in the league.
Nthabiseng finished as the second top goal-scorer with 20 goals in her maiden season of 2021, and 18 this just-ended season of 2022. She was an influential member of the senior women’s team Banyana Banyana when achieving the historic win in the 2022 Women’s African Cup of Nations (Wafcon), staged in Morocco. She showed her prowess when she scored on her debut for the team during their match against Botswana in the continental competition.
Now in Gr. 12, Nthabiseng has also been part of the country’s U20 national women’s team since 2020. Her contribution has also ensured that Banyana Banyana qualifies for the 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup, to be hosted jointly by Australia and New Zealand from 20 July to 20 August.
The global competition will see the tournament expanded from 24 to 32 teams.
Richmond coach, Edwin Lisene, is delighted about Nthabiseng’s steady rise and contribution, as well as the once-in-a-lifetime chances she is receiving to improve her football career.
“Considering her background, current team and the country, it is a great motivation to her teammates and girls aspiring to play football. Obviously, education comes first because it is lifelong, something she must never compromise,” said Lisene.
Nthabiseng’s contribution helped her team, Richmond, finish in seventh position on 48 points in the last season – the highest ever in the club’s history.
