Netball’s loss is football’s gain as Mbane stars for Banyana Banyana

WHILE she was growing up, Banyana Banyana centre-back Bambanani Mbane once went to a netball match she was lined up to feature in, wearing soccer boots which had no studs as a form of protest to the rest of her family.

Her family, except for her one uncle who believed that the now 27-year old defender was born to play the beautiful game, didn’t want her to play football, arguing it was unfashionable for a girl to be going out for a kickabout with a group of boys.

Mbane was multitalented as a kid, whilst growing up, and could play both netball and football exceptionally well.

“I grew up playing the game (football) for as long as I can remember,” Mbane recalls. “I was about seven when I started. I played with the boys up until 2010 when I moved to Bloemfontein to join Celtic Ladies FC. I was really good. The lads in my neighbourhood used to fight over me, just to have me playing on their respective sides in our many street soccer matches we played in Strekspruit, .

“One day, there was an argument at home over which sporting code should I focus on, because I was good at both football and netball. My uncle, who trained me right up until I joined Celtic, argued they should let me continue playing football. The rest of the family was against that decision. And what did I do? I went to a netball match wearing soccer boots which had no studs.

“My heart wasn’t there. It was right after that I stepped onto an opposing player’s foot in that netball match; then the family realised that it was pointless for them to fight my preference of which sporting code I wanted to pursue. And so, I just continued playing football.”

Mbane, who’s been in an outstanding form in Banyana’s last three matches in this year’s Cosafa Women’s Championship in Bulawayo, Zimbabwe, was discovered by former Banyana coach Vera Pauw in a friendly match against her side, Celtic Ladies, back in 2015.

The Banyana player describes her debut match, which she played against Botswana, as one of the most nerve-racking experiences she’s ever had in her playing career. But Mbane is far more composed and relaxed in her defensive role now, as compared to then when she started with the senior national side. The review sessions she holds after every match with Desiree Ellis and her technical staff help her to up her game each time she walks on to the pitch.

The centre-back, who’s now sitting on 14 Banyana caps, hopes that her side will bulldoze their way into this year’s final when they lock horns with Zambia in tomorrow’s semi-final’s clash at Barbourfields Stadium (Kick-off 1pm).

And that’s why Mbane says she wants to win this championship title in her first participation in this southern regional tournament.

“This is my first Cosafa tournament to ever feature in since my involvement with the Banyana squad,” Mbane says. “If I get a winners’ medal from this championship; that will be a great achievement for me and the team. I really want that winner’s medal hanging around my neck.”