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KZN girl pays tribute to late dad who taught her football

Fathers never count the many hours they spend at dance studios or rugby, cricket, and football fields. They play an essential role in developing growing athletes and make possible unique experiences and lasting memories. Without a doubt, they symbolise strength, determination, and adventure. Zama Ngidi’s dad is one such superhero in disguise!

When Ngidi was a little girl, her soccer-crazy dad couldn’t resist the urge to play his favourite sport with her. And so, he would often take her to the streets of Imbali, Pietermaritzburg and kick the ball toward her. Obligingly, she followed. Little did she know that one day, years after her dad’s passing, she would play football and captain her home province, KwaZulu Natal. 

“My father loved soccer. As soon as I started walking, he would take me outside to the street and make me kick a ball. As I grew older, he taught me new skills. By the time I was in primary school, I had played soccer better than all the boys in my grade,” the 19-year-old tells FARPost. Ngidi, who completed her Grade 12 last year at Cater High School, said she knew that her dream was to become a soccer star.

Amandla Dlamini is Ngidi’s all-time favourite

Interestingly, Ngidi hails from the township that has produced the likes of Orlando Pirates midfielder Siphesihle Ndlovu. “My father died four years ago, and I told myself that I would continue playing soccer as a way to keep his memory alive. Every time I kick a ball, I see his face in my head, and I know he’s proud of me,” says Ngidi, who singled out former Banyana Banyana captain Amanda Dlamini as her all-time favourite player.

Of course, she has had to jump through hurdles and challenges to get where she is today, pursuing her passion. “In primary school, we didn’t have a girls’ soccer team, and I was not allowed to play with the boys besides being better than all of them. That frustrated me so much, and I was on the verge of quitting soccer, but my father, who was still alive, helped me through all of that.”

Seeing her passion, her dad formed a girls’ soccer team in the township to make up for her not being able to be part of her school’s soccer team. Ngidi has won several soccer awards and is hopeful that she will be winning more as her career continues. “There are so many hurdles and challenges that female soccer players face that men don’t have to deal with. We must fight these challenges to make it easier for our younger sisters who also want to play soccer,” she says.

She has big dreams of becoming the next South African female soccer star and one day playing the game at an international level.

By Mbalenhle Ngubane

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