Regirl Ngobeni’s star just keeps on shining brighter!
She was selected as the 2021 Goalkeeper of the Year at the inaugural Hollywoodbets Super League Awards earlier this year.
This after she kept 14 clean sheets in the season – leading her side, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to a third place finish on the log standings.
The achievement saw the institution named in the top 10 best women’s teams on the continent.
In the meanwhile, Riri, as she is commonly to her peers, was studying while playing football.
In April she graduated with a Bachelor of Education Degree in standard time.
“It’s never been an issue for me (to balance sport with academics) as I have always been a top performer in class while playing soccer. I’m presented with new challenges every day, but I always find ways to deal with them. I won’t lose focus when it comes to balancing my education and soccer responsibilities,” she said after the graduation ceremony.
Now the upward trajectory continues as she finds herself in Morocco with the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana preparing for the upcoming TotalEnergies Women’s Africa Cup of Nations which runs from 2-23 July.
“It’s a great feeling! It really feels amazing honestly it’s a dream come true. I am literally living one of my dreams. It feels soooo amazing. It’s an honour,” said Regirl from the Banyana Banyana camp in Morocco.
The Mpumalanga-born goal minder is not new to the national team setup however.
She has represented South Africa at both U17 and u20 levels.
Riri is one of the members of the Basetsana squad that faced Nigeria in the 2015 U20 World Cup qualifiers – five from that team are in the current in Morocco with Banyana Banyana – Amogelang Motau, Bongeka Gamede, Linda Motlhalo and Thembi Kgatlana.
She earned her first senior women’s national team call-up in 2021 ahead of the Aisha Buhari Cup in Nigeria which South Africa won after defeating the hosts 4-2 in the final.
“When playing in the junior level, you always want to go up to the highest level which is where I am currently at and that is why this opportunity means a lot to me. I am filled with emotions and still trying to digest all this. I am very excited and I want to learn and absorb as much as I can,” Ngobeni told SAFA.net at the time.
Despite being in the national since then, she still has to get rid of the nerves, especially playing at the highest women’s football tournament on the continent.
She faces still competition from the experienced Andile Dlamini (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies) and Kaylin Swart (JVW).
“It’s really normal to have nerves when you are about to do something big you know. It’s a natural thing that happens to the best of us. Normally they say if you don’t get nerves when you about to take the next big thing then you are not leaving in the moment,” added Ngobeni.
South Africa is in Group C alongside Botswana, Burundi and the defending champions Nigeria.
Banyana Banyana open their account in Morocco against the Super Falcons of Nigeria, before taking on Burundi and round of the groups stages against neighbours Botswana.
“The squad is prepared and ready for the Tournament. Each one of us in the team is looking forward to the tournament and to also making us South Africa proud,” she concluded.
By Matlhomola Morake
