Banyana Banyana defender cum midfielder, Bongeka Gamede was over the moon after finally making her debut in Denmark for her new club, FC Nordsjaelland Women.
This was in a 3-1 win over Varde Women in the quarterfinal of the Danish Cup played this past weekend (Saturday, 8 March 2025).
Gamede played the entire 90 minutes.
“Yes, it was a good game and the team that we played against is in our second division, but they gave us such a good game. We are now through to the semifinals, I am so excited that I finally made my official debut,” said Gamede from her base in Denmark.
The former University of the Western Cape (UWC) captain and star player joined her European employers in October last year after a sterling season for both the Blues, whom she helped qualify for the CAF Women’s Champions League – the first ever university team to achieve that feat.
Smah, as she is known to her peers, was, however, unable to play in the prestigious African women’s football premier club competition as she had already been signed by Nordsjaelland.
“When I joined at the end of the last season, I think they had about three games left before vacation. I managed to play 30 minutes in a friendly before the winter recess in December,” added Gamede.
“But this time I was able to feature more as I was part of the pre-season training in Spain earlier this year. I played three matches in total, two of them 60 min each and the last one it was the entire 90 minutes.”
The Ixopo, KwaZulu Natal-born player says the time she spent training and being patient has helped her a lot. But more importantly, it assisted her in understanding the style and structure needed.
“I think we differ a lot in terms of structure details, in South Africa we are naturally gifted and good on the ball but lack in terms of tactics – and everything is done in detail here. I think I struggled the first couple of trainings but am getting to grips with I need to do to. The intensity is always high but since I am from SA, getting on the ball and being comfortable is not a problem. It was worth the wait.”
The 26-year-old was part of the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana squad that lifted the CAF African Women’s Cup of Nations in 2022 in Morocco.
She is still trying to get to grips with the language and is planning on attending classes.
Gamede is the third UWC player to sign a professional contract abroad, following on the heels of Noxolo Cesane who went to Saudi Arabia. Captain Amogelang Motau was the last player to leave South Africa and went on to sign for Club Tijuana in the Liga MX Femenil in Mexico.
“Nox led the way for us and opened doors when she went to the Middle East. I am so happy for Amo, this is really a good move for her, considering it is her first professional contract. And she deserves it as she worked very hard for it,” said Gamede.
The Banyana Banyana star could be in action again this weekend in the Elitedivisionen Women on Sunday, 15 March when they take on fourth-placed Odense Q in the first league match after the December winter break.
With 14 games played, FC Nordsjaelland are currently second on 30 points, six adrift of log leaders Fortuna Hjorring Women, the former home of ex-Banyana Banyana captain Janine van Wyk.
Gamede will be hoping to continue with game time, which has become crucial as this is the year of the WAFCON, and Senior Women’s National team head coach Desiree Ellis will be watching with keen interest.
Good news for South Africa is that not so long ago, Motau made her debut in Mexico, with Linda Motlhalo returning to Scotland and is already up and running for Scottish giants Glasgow City, while the trio of Hilda Magaia, Thembi Kgatlana and Sinoxolo Cesane have found form in Liga MX Femenil, with Jermaine Seoposenwe still on the mend after an injury.
The WAFCON tournament will be played from 5-26 July this year.
South Africa, who are the defending champions, have been placed in Group C against Mali, Tanzania and Ghana.
By Matlhomola Morake
