Mamelodi Sundowns ladies goalkeeper Andile Dlamini has shared a special message at the start of Women’s Month, and as the team prepares to jet off to the United States for the highly-anticipated 2024 Women’s Cup tournament.
The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team will soon be heading to Kansas City to take part in the Women’s Cup where they will play alongside Atletico de Madrid, the Kobe women’s team from Japan, and hosts Kansas City Current.
This year’s ‘event’ tournament will take place over two ‘game days’ on August 14 and 17, and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team are the first African club to be invited to the tournament, with this historic opportunity having been facilitated through the club’s consultancy partnership with world renowned agency Roc Nation Sports International.
On the eve of the tournament, and at the start of Women’s Month, Dlamini has opened up about what it means to be in such a position.
“I believe that women have the power to achieve anything they set their minds to. The struggles I had getting into football, I had no boots at one point, I played with my takkies. A professional contract changed my life. I’m able to support my family because I’m the breadwinner,” she commented in a video posted by The Women’s Cup, and which was produced by RNSI Productions.
“As a woman, it’s not easy playing football in Africa because not all teams actually support their women. A lot of girls and teams are struggling with getting sponsorships. I’m just grateful to be a part of it, and I pray that a lot of girls receive the opportunity to get a professional contract because it changes your life.
“I would just want to see the biggest inspiration, like Nelson Mandela, you know what he has done for this country. He has given us freedom to express ourselves, I want to leave that legacy as well. I want to lay the foundation for the young up-and-coming generation. It’s all about us teaching them, and actually sharing the knowledge that we have for football.
“I hope to inspire young women around the world to achieve their dreams, believe in yourself and work hard!”
You can read more about the Mamelodi Sundowns ladies team’s upcoming participation in the Women’s Cup here: https://sundownsfc.co.za/mamelodi-sundowns-ladies-team-to-take-part-in-the-prestigious-womens-cup/
