The Sunday News
Mandla Moyo,Sports Reporter
TSHOLOTSHO could once again be the melting pot of women’s football after one of its latest finds impressed Bulawayo teams during a tour sponsored by Soccer For Life recently.
When the excursion was mooted by Soccer for Life, little did they know this that this unpolished gem would grab the attention of the football loving community of Bulawayo. Surrounded by boys, the odd one out caught the eye of football scouts who quickly expressed their interest in her services.
This rising star with a rare passion for the world’s most beautiful game is Ntandoyenkosi Moyo, a form three learner from Mavela Secondary School, a girl blessed with immense skill. Due to her obsession for the game though let down by lack of activity in women’s football, this has however, not deterred her as she took bold steps by getting into trenches alongside male counterparts, just to prove a point as well as sharpen her skills.
Despite her gender Ntando has proven her worth by giving boys a torrid time on the field of play where she is usually deployed as an outright striker or just behind the strikers.
During a “Mini World Cup” tournament held in Tsholotsho, she featured as a guest player for the boys Under-16 team.
Playing as a guest, she showed her worth by creating the two goals that saw her team lift the trophy, winning 2-0 against their B side.
Her dance with football started at the tender age while still at Mvandlana Primary School in the same area then moved to Mavela for her secondary education. She has played a number of games as a guest player in boys tournaments in her home area, a clear indication of her exceptional talent which continues to get recognition from the community.
As a result of that efforts are at an advanced stage to bring her to the big stage so that she can pursue her burning desire of going further in football. Like any player, she has a burning desire to play abroad in pursuit of what she knows best.
She drives her inspiration from Nomsa “Boyz” Moyo who encouraged her to keep going after impressing her as well.
“I have been playing with boys for a long time since there are not girls teams this side. But I like the challenge and wish to play for team that plays regularly in the women’s legue and hopefully play for the national team in future,” she said.
Can she rise from the dusty grounds of Tsholotsho to the magnificent National Sports Stadium? Well, only time will tell.
@mandlamoyo3
