In spite of the coronavirus changing the sporting landscape at the moment, the new year has turned out to be an exciting period for South African women footballers as they consistently rake in moves to Europe.
Defender Bambanani Mbane recently joined the ever-growing list of Banyana Banyana players plying their trade abroad, joining Belarusian side FC Dinamo Minsk on a one-year deal.
Speaking from her base in Minsk, the former Bloemfontein Celtic stalwart shares more on her move:
Belarus, formerly known by its Russian name Byelorussia or Belorussia, is a landlocked country in Eastern Europe bordered by Russia to the northeast, Ukraine to the south, Poland to the west, and Lithuania and Latvia to the northwest.
Mbane is the third South African to join the Belarusian Women’s Premier League club after Letago Madiba and Rachel Sebati.
The duo has since moved to Turkey where they now turn out for ALG Spor. Mbane says she aims to put in a concerted effort in helping her new side extend their domestic dominance and shine in Women’s Champions League campaign later this year.
With over 50 caps for Banyana under her belt, Mbane dons the number 13 jersey at Dinamo, same as the one she wears on national duty.
The-29-year-old says the country should brace itself for more Banyana players’ moves in the near future.
Other South African women players plying their trade abroad are Linda Motlhalo (Sweden), Thembi Kgatlana (Portugal), Refiloe Jane (Italy), Ode Fulutudilu (Finland), Rachel Sebati and Letago Modiba (both Turkey), Regina Mogolola (Serbia), Amogelang Motau (USA) and Zanele Nhlapo (Albania). – Report by Tumi Gabonamong
