Former Banyana Banyana defender Noko Matlou has extended her stay at Spanish side CP Cacereno. She also hinted at her future career path as her playing days near their end.
The 39-year-old veteran joined the Primera Federacion side last season after spending three years at SD Eibar.
Noko Matlou recently announced her retirement from international football, just months before the Women’s Africa Cup of Nations. The WAFCON tournament is set to be staged in Morocco, with Banyana Banyana as the defending champions.
Matlou has established herself as one of the greatest players in the history of the women’s game on the continent with an international career spanning over 18 years.
She is the second-highest capped player in Banyana Banyana history with 174 caps, second only to Janine Van Wyk. Matlou also made history in 2008 as the first SA player to win the CAF Women’s Player of the Year award.
Additionally, she was a key member of the Banyana Banyana squad that claimed the WAFCON tournament title in 2022.
NOKO MATLOU EXTENDS HER STAY AT SPANISH SIDE CP CACERENO
After a sterling season in Spain, Matlou has now been rewarded with another contract for the 2025/26 season.
“I have done well for the team because I played 29 games in the league, and I also played the Copa del Rey Cup until we lost in the quarter-finals against Atletico Madrid,” she told FARPost.
“So the team was happy to extend my contract. I am also happy because I did well last season,” she said.
FORMER BANYANA BANYANA DEFENDER REVEALS WHAT SHE WANTS TO PURSUE AFTER HER PLAYING CAREER
Meanwhile, Matlou has also revealed that the next season could be her last as a football player. The SAFA C License holder says she now wants to pursue a career in coaching.
“For me, if my body still feels good, I will continue. But I have definitely told myself that this will be my last season so that I can focus on a coaching career because I also have a C license,” added Matlou.
“Unfortunately, when I came back to South Africa, I didn’t have time [to go for a B license]. But when I come back next year, I will do a B license because I can align with a coaching career.”
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