Motau: dynamo that hums out on the field

It would be easy to mistake the University of the Western Cape and Banyana Banyana’s Amogelang Motau for a shrinking violet based on her soft-spoken voice off the field of play. The reality is, however, that Motau is a hard-working midfield dynamo, with a fierce tackle and an intense work-rate, who looks to have a bright future for club and country.

The 19-year-old, who hails from Modimolle in Polokwane, spent most of her playing career at the High Performance Centre (HPC) in Pretoria under coach Sheryl Botes, and has since played for the national Under-17 and the Under-20 teams, as well as the senior women’s team.

The Banyana player says she has come a long way on her football journey – at first it was hard for her mother to get used to the idea of her daughter playing the beautiful game seriously, but she eventually got used to it and started being supportive.

“It took some time before my mom noticed that I actually love football, she was a bit puzzled with it at first, and she didn’t get the idea of seeing her daughter running and kicking a ball around with the boys. I loved it and I am glad she realised that it was my calling,” says Motau.

“I can’t really remember when the first time was that I started playing football, but I know I was still very young, playing with the boys from my street. It was fun and I enjoyed every minute of it. Playing at the HPC really helped me to be the player that I am today and I will forever be grateful for the opportunity that I got. We had wonderful facilities with great coaches and I believe the school will continue to breed more talented players.”

Motau says she is content with how her career has unfolded in the last couple of years and is looking forward to more learning more about the game and growing as a player.

“I need to continue working hard because I want to see myself as a regular member of the Banyana team. I captained the Under-17 and Under-20 national teams, it was a great experience for me and I want to continue growing from it,” she added.

“The competition for places in the senior national team is always high and we have top quality players who are coming up, hence I say I need to always be on top of my game and listen to every instruction from my coaches.”

Motau is undoubtedly one of the youngsters who has a bright a future in the Banyana Banyana team, having made her debut during a friendly match against Egypt last October and she was also part of the team that travelled to Cameroon for the Caf Africa Women Cup of Nation a month later, where the team finished in fourth place.

“It was an honour for me to be called up to the senior team and it was a dream come true. I will forever cherish that moment. Being able to catch the eye of the senior national team coaches shows that I have been doing something right all this time.

“The game against Egypt was very exciting and I am happy that we won the match. It was great playing alongside players whom I’ve always looked up to. Then I travelled with the team to the AWC, it was a great experience for me and it taught me a lot.”

The midfielder says her dream is to compete at the Fifa World Cup with Banyana, with the team yet to feature at the global tournament.

“It is possible, it is just that the team have just been unlucky to not make it in previous years. We have experienced and quality players in the squad who can do the job. I want to be part of the team that will make history when that time arrives.”