Banyana Banyana forward Hilda Magaia has expressed her excitement following her move to Kansas City Current in the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL) in the USA.
The former Tshwane University of Technology player was previously on the books of Mazatlán FC Femenino in Mexico before making the trek to the US, where she is on loan until the end of the season, with an option for an outright purchase.
She becomes the second South African in the American women’s football league, joining compatriot Linda Motlhalo who runs out for Racing Louisville in Kentucky.

“I’m excited about this huge opportunity I have grasped, and I’m also grateful to the almighty for entrusting me with this talent and answering my prayers. I was well received. Everyone was so delighted to see me,” said Magaia.
“This move means a lot to me – it means I have been granted what I have been praying for on my football journey. This is one of the dreams I’ve had since I started playing pro-football.”

Magaia’s footballing journey started at the University of Pretoria before joining neighbours TUT. Her exploits caught the eye of Swedish side Morön BK where she signed her first professional contract. She would then move to South Korea, signing for Sejong Sportstoto before being snapped up by Mazatlán FC Femenin in the Liga MX Femenin in Mexico.

“I really enjoyed my time in Mexico, more so because I got to spend time with someone I know (teammate and compatriot Sinoxolo Cesane). The only challenge was when the results were not going our way but we grew a lot from all those experiences,” added Magaia.
“And gratitude should go to all the teams that have helped shape my career. The clubs I have played for have really paved the way for me. I don’t think without all these clubs I would be here. Each one of them played a significant role in shaping me to be the player I am today, and I’m really grateful for that.”

In the US joins fellow Africans Temwa Chamwinga from Malawi and recent signing Mwanalima Adam Jereko, the Kenyan Women’s National team captain.
“This is a big league, one of the best if not the best in the world, so I’m expecting to play against some of the best players in the game. I’m expecting high intensity from training to games. This surely is a great career move,” she said.
The 29-year-old will be donning jersey number 66 “as it matches my mother’s year of birth,” she said.
Magaia says she has been impressed by the University of the Western Cape (UWC) who are representing South Africa at the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA qualifiers. UWC are in the final of the competition and will face Botswana’s Gaborone United.

“I’m so happy for them. They are doing so well. I was worried when they lost their first game. But it’s true when they say, ‘It’s not about how you start, but how you finish’,” she concluded.
Kansas City sit in second place in the NWSL, three points behind first-place Orlando. They play Washington Spirit in Washington DC on Sunday.
By Matlhomola Morake