TS Galaxy Queens forward, Leandra Smeda is excited after finishing top of the scoring charts in the 2025 Hollywoodbets Super League season on 22 goals. This was her second season in the South African elite women’s football after several years abroad playing for the likes of FC Gintra (Lithuania), Vittsjö GIK (Sweden), Famalicão (Portugal), Dux Logrono and RCD Espanyol (both Spain).
In 2021 she returned home to play for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) before going back to Europe to continue her adventure.
This time around she came back with a bang to beat her nearest rival – Bonolo Mokoma of JVW – by four goals.
“I feel really good about the achievement, and I didn’t see this one coming because for the past 6-8 years I’ve played as a CM, CDM, CD mostly at the various clubs I was with, not as an attacker,” said Smeda from Cape Town where she is enjoying a break before the start of the new season.
With her great form in front of goal, many have been asking if she shouldn’t be back in the national team where she has clocked up 100 caps.
She last featured for the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana seven years ago (10 November 2019) in the 2-0 defeat to Japan in an away international friendly – on the same day she celebrated her century of appearances in a South African jersey.
“It would be great to play another WAFCON – most likely my last one – but I don’t harbour those hopes anymore because before I came home, I was abroad and didn’t get a call, played here (South Africa) last season, did really well and still didn’t get a call. If the call comes, I will obviously accept it, but to be honest I feel like the selectors closed that door on me a long time ago. Maybe if I was younger I would’ve received a call up,” added the player known to her peers as Chomi.
After her time in Spain, she joined TS Galaxy Queens, a move she doesn’t regret at all considering the good run they had last season. The Rockets finished in third place – tied on 69 points with league runners up JVW.
Smeda remains an integral part of the Mpumalanga-based team and believes they have what it takes to challenge for the league title – which has been won by Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies for the last six seasons.
“Yes, I do see the team challenging for the league in 2026. We showed glimpses last season that we do have the ability to challenge for it,” said a confident Smeda.
The 36-year-old is well aware that she will not play the game forever and has started preparing for life after football.
Armed with a BTech (Bachelor of Technology) in Food Technology from UWC, she is now on her third year of studying BSc Strength and Conditioning online with Setanta Institute, an international institution which has a branch in Stellenbosch.
“That is the direction I am taking now. When I hang up my boots I want to be a Strength and Conditioning coach as I have seen there aren’t many women in that space. It is something I am really enjoying,” said Smeda who was busy studying when CentreCircle.online spoke to her.
The Capetonian is currently waiting for the start of the season and can’t wait to continue where she left off last season.
Here is what she told CentreCircle.online
Congratulations on ending the season as the top goal scorer in the Hollywoodbets Super League – how do you feel?
I feel really good about the achievement, it was a team effort, and I would not have done it on my own. But I am super excited that it ended the way it did.
When you joined TS Galaxy, did you expect something like that to happen?
No, I didn’t see it coming at all. It’s been a while since I’ve played as an attacker because for the past 6-8 years I’ve played as a CM, CDM, CD mostly at the various clubs I was with.
What would you attribute your success to?
I think the experience I’ve gained over the years, and the versatility helped me to achieve this goal. But also, I had to work hard too.
TS Galaxy Queens finishing third in the league – happy with the achievement?
To be honest no I am not happy with our third-place finish. I believe we could have done better as a team. We dropped crucial points in games we should not have; we drew matches where we were supposed to win, but then again, it is what it is, that’s football. We just need to learn from it and do better.
What’s your overall impression of the past season?
Like I say, there are times when we should have collected maximum points but didn’t – so, I know deep down that we could have done better.
After a good run in 2025, do you see the team challenging for the league title in 2026?
I believe we showed glimpses last season that we do have the ability to challenge for the league title, so yes, I see the team going for gold in 2026.
You seem to be enjoying yourself at TS Galaxy – you must be glad it worked out in the end?
Yes, I am. I think we have a good group of players, and I also have friends in the team so that helped me adapt. Not forgetting the coach and team management, everyone helped me settle in quicker.
Can we expect to see you return in their colours again this season?
Most definitely, I am still a TS Galaxy Queens player.
Personally, you are doing well at club level – do you still harbour hopes of a national team call up?
Not really because before I came home I was abroad and I didn’t get a call. I played here last season (2025) and did really well, still didn’t get a call. If the call comes, I will obviously accept it, but to be honest I feel like the selectors closed that door on me a long time ago. Maybe if I was younger, I would have received a call up.
It’s a big year for Banyana Banyana with the WAFCON coming up, what would it mean to you to play in the tournament?
It would be great to play another WAFCON, I’ve never won it as a player so adding a winner’s medal to my already 2nd and 3rd place medals would be nice way to round off my international career.
By Matlhomola Morake
