On the sidelines, but Dlamini remains bubbly

Banyana Banyana goalkeeper Andile Dlamini (left) might have not got any game time at this year’s Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Ghana, but is proud to be part of the team who qualified for the 2019 Women’s World Cup.

Forever jolly and always smiling, it doesn’t take a lot to make the Tembisa-born shot-stopper laugh.

Dlamini is part of a history-making team that qualified for their maiden Fifa Women’s World Cup in France next year.

“I describe myself as a bubbly person, I like seeing people happy and laughing, that is why I always have a smile on my face,” she explains.

“I believe in keeping a smile every time because I know my smile can brighten up another person’s day. So, for me, it all comes naturally because I have always been like this. Even when I’m upset or angry, it doesn’t last too long because I’m a happy person naturally.

“Being on the bench doesn’t mean you’re not part of the team, you’re still part of the team. It would have been nice to have played, but Kaylin Swart did a good job and there was no reason for her to make way for me.

“As the reserve keeper, what I do is make sure that she is focused and ready for the game during warm-ups and training sessions. She would do the same with me when I’m the one playing. But all in all, I am very proud that we managed to qualify for the World Cup.”

The Mamelodi Sundowns ladies keeper believes in hard work in order to achieve goals.

And since making he Banyana debut in 2011, she says she has never looked back.

“Football is such a beautiful sport that connects everyone. We can come from different places and speak different languages, but once we come on the field, there is only one language spoken, the football language,” said the keeper.

“Since I started playing for the country, I have never looked back. I know that I have fight hard for my place in the national team and make sure my performances are always on top.”

Having qualified for the World Cup, Dlamini knows there is no time to rest for her and every player in the team.

She knows the competition is fierce and there are many players who are raising their hand to play for the national team.

“The competition is very high and it seems to be growing every day. There are more women playing football nowadays which is very good. If you look at the Sasol league, you will see that there is plenty of talent and for us in the national team, we can’t relax, we have to keep our performance consistent in order to be in the Banyana team.”