ETS opens doors for young player

Fourteen-year-old Nibonile Dlamini, an Education Through Soccer (ETS) development player, is living proof that hard work and dedication pays off.

Nibonile, who attends Reddford House Northcliff, is currently celebrating a huge accomplishment in her football career after she recently received a call from the Banyana Banyana junior national team selectors.

Nibonile from Randburg was selected after undergoing intensive selection trials.

In an interview with Roodepoort Northsider during a training session at ETS, the chuffed midfielder expressed her gratitude and discussed plans for her future. “I went for trials two weeks ago and I was selected to play for the Banyana Banyana juniors. I feel quite excited and privileged to try out for the young national team,” she said.

While many young girls played with dolls and wore their mom’s clothes for fun, at the tender age of seven, Nibonile was fulfilling her passion for soccer. She kicked off her career at the Randburg Football Club and joined ETS last year.

ETS has opened doors for her as she now is part of a team that will be competing in a tournament in Spain at the end of the month.

NibonileDlamini paid tribute to her mother for keeping her focused and motivated.

“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.”

The Banyana Banyana senior team hopeful added that her mother’s words of encouragement have taught her to overcome the negative stereotype attached to women pursuing soccer as a career.

“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,” said Nibonile.

Her proud coach, Paradise Serame Moeketsi, who is one of the top development coaches in the country, said, “She’s talented…We recommended Banyana Banyana to scout her.”

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