South African midfielder Noxolo Cesane left South Africa with high hopes of making it in the big leagues of Europe when she signed for Division One Stade de Reims in France.
This was shortly after helping the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana lift their maiden CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco last year.
The Gugulethu-born winger made the move in September – at the time, her Hollywoodbets Super League side the University of the Western Cape (UWC), was hot on the heels of log leaders and eventual champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
The coastal side would finish second in South Africa’s premier women’s league, pipping a stubborn Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) on the last day of the league race.
But in France things did not go according to plan for the skilful midfielder, who became a part-player for her new team.
And when an opportunity to move presented itself, Cesane, who has a twin sister, Sinoxolo, playing and studying in the USA, took a leap of faith and cut ties with her European employers.
Her new destination was Liga MX Femenin in Mexico, where she became the second South African in the league after another Capetonian and Banyana Banyana teammate, Jermaine Seoposenwe. The latter is on the books of FC Juarez and has set the scene alight with brilliant displays, accompanied by goals too.
Cesane signed until the end of the season with Club de Fútbol Tigres de la Universidad Autónoma de Nuevo León Femenil, simply known as Tigres UANL Femenil.
“This is an amazing club with great facilities. I am very happy, and I think this was the best move for me,” said Cesane from her base in Monterey, Nuevo León (New Lion), a state in the northeast region of Mexico.
She has already played two games for her new team, making her debut in the 71st minute against Club Leon as Tigres won 4-1 (6 March).
But in the next match, she was introduced in the 90th minute, and was unable to help the Female Tigers, who lost 2-0 to Tijuana (11 March).
“I haven’t really settled very well, but I am slowly finding my feet and so far, everything is going well. I love the place, which has a Cape Town look about it – so I feel like I am home. I am excited to be here, and I love everything about this place which is as beautiful as Cape Town,” added Cesane.
“This is a good team, and a good football playing club, so I am enjoying myself. What is also good is that most people in the country can speak English, including the players and staff members, so there is no language barrier which can sometimes make things difficult. And I am also trying to learn Spanish.
As she is still new to the place, the 22-year-old spends her spare time mainly on sleeping, going to the gym or just relaxing and listening to music.
The Amazons, as they are fondly called in Mexico, will next be in action on Tuesday, 21 March and will face Club America which is two spots above them, five points ahead.
Tigres Femenil lies in fifth position in the 18-team league.
They have collected 18 points after nine games, winning six and losing three.
Monterey leads the pack on 27 points with an unblemished start to the league of nine wins – the only unbeaten side in the campaign.
Cesane was part of the Banyana Banyana squad that participated in the recent Turkish Women’s Cup, and scored in the 3-0 defeat of Uzbekistan, and helped her nation to a 1-1 draw with Slovenia to win their group in the tournament.
By Matlhomola Morake
