It’s been four months since Leandra Smeda swopped the UWC jersey in the Hollywoodbets Super League for Dux Logroño’s in the second division in Spain.
The Cape Town-born midfielder is no stranger to Europe as she has already played for Famalicao (Portugal), Vittsjo (Sweden) and Gintra Universitetas (Lithuania) – and that has helped her settle in quickly and adapt to new ways and methods.
Of the nine matches played so far in the season, she started seven of them, and came off the bench twice.
DUX Logroño is currently fifth on the league table, tied on 17 points with third-placed Deportivo Abanca and FC Barcelona “B” in fourth position.
Noko Matlou’s SD Eibar still leads the pack four points ahead (21), and are yet to lose in this campaign. Breathing down their necks is Cacereño Femenino, three points adrift.
Smeda last ran out in the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana colours in 2019, when the South African Senior Women’s National Team faced Japan in an international friendly – it was in that match that she reached the milestone 100 caps, joining the elite group that includes Janine van Wyk, Matlou, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, Nothando Vilakazi, Refiloe Jane, Mamello Makhabane as well as Amanda Dlamini and Portia Modise who have since retired.
The Spain-based midfielder still longs for a national team call-up, more so with the FIFA Women’s World Cup 2023 Australia and New Zealand around the corner – but her immediate focus is on helping DUX Logroño gain promotion into the elite women’s league in Spain.
In 2018 the 33-year old made history by becoming the first South African woman footballer to score in the EUFA Women’s Champions League when she was still with Gintra Universitetas.
Smeda has also represented her country at the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, and the FIFA Women’s World Cup in France in 2019 – Banyana Banyana’s maiden appearance in a FIFA tournament.
Chomi, as she is known to her peers, came close to winning gold in the CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations when she bagged silver in Ghana in 2018 after losing to Nigeria on penalties in the final.
CentreCircle.online caught up with Smeda at her new home in Spain.
It’s been a while since you left for Spain – how are things going?
Yes, four months and counting. It’s going well so far and adapting has not been too difficult for me as I have played in Europe before. Communicating however has been a bit of a challenge but I’m learning Spanish and my teammates also help me practice by speaking to me daily. I understand Spanish better than I speak it, so that is a good start.
Having played in other parts of the Europe, how would you compare the leagues?
The best league I’ve played in so far was the Swedish league. The league I’m currently playing in is the second division in Spain but it’s very good, and very competitive – the intensity is high and it’s very physical (as matters stand I am sitting on four yellow cards). The development structures this side are really top notch and you can see it in how good their junior national teams are doing.
Dux Logroño has played nine matches, how many have you featured in so far, and you happy you made the move?
After making my move I got the opportunity to play and now I’ve featured in all nine matches so far – seven starts and two from the bench. We have a very good team and quality players and everyone wants to play which raises the level of competition. I am very happy I made the move to Spain, and playing regularly helps a lot – so it has been a very stay so far.
Your team recently faced Noko’s team SD Eibar, and you lost 1-0. Did you play and how did you feel about the loss?
Yes, I played the full match. It was a very physical match. We conceded late in the second half. Disappointed with the result of course, it was our home game and you don’t want to drop points at home. I got to catch up with Noko after the match, haven’t seen her in a while so it was good to see her.
It’s still early days but your team is currently placed 5th on the league, and not far off the leaders in terms of points…
Yes, we’ve been doing well and the plan is to maintain the momentum. Take it one game at a time and try to not drop points, especially when we play at home. We want to gain promotion, but we don’t have to think about that, just take every match as it comes. Pity we drew 3-3 this weekend against Granada away after conceding two goals in the last 10 minutes, so we definitely have to win our next match, which is at home.
Personally, are you satisfied with your contribution and do you think it will help you return to the national team – especially with the World Cup coming?
I’m happy with my performances so far but you know that with every game one improves even more, so I also believe I can still improve and doing so will help my team get the best result. I don’t know if me playing regularly this side will help me get back into the National Team, but we keep hope alive and see what happens.
Speaking of the national team, when you made your move it was during the WAFCON in Morocco…
I watched every match and truth is wished I was there. But I was so happy when they lifted the trophy – they deserved it as they put in a very solid performance in every match, even when the odds were against them they managed to get the desired result. After falling short at so many WAFCON’s before this was a deserved victory – especially for the senior players who have put in a lot of work over the past few years.
What are your thoughts on the FIFA Women’s World Cup draw – Sweden, Italy, Argentina?
It’s a tough group but I don’t think it is as difficult as the 2019 edition so I believe we stand a good chance of getting out the group stages. Sweden looks to be our toughest opponent in the group, but we know them very well because we’ve played against them previously on several occasions. We haven’t faced Italy and Argentina before, but it will be important to plan well for each of our opponents and make sure we cover every base before we get to the tournament.
Have you been following the Hollywoodbets Super League since you left? And what is your impression?
Yes, I follow the Hollywoodbets Super league. Some teams have stepped up in the second round of the league. There are some very good young players for the future. TUT and UWC have been battling it out for second position after Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies won the title – but as matters stand, I think my former team (UWC) will not disappoint as they stand a very good chance of taking the second spot. They are currently on 65 points and need just a draw to seal the deal with one match remaining – however they have a tough match at home against the visiting Durban Ladies, but I still give it to them to end on a high and better last season’s third place finish.
By Matlhomola Morake
