Basadi in Action

The Hollywoodbets Super League heads into another decisive weekend with the race for the title heating up at the top of the table. TS Galaxy Queens remain log leaders after 18 matches, collecting 43 points from 13 wins, four draws, and a single defeat. Their formidable defensive record – just seven goals conceded all season – has been the backbone of their campaign, while experienced forward Leandra Smeda continues to shine as the league’s leading scorer with 13 goals. TS Galaxy Queens  © Gallo Images Just two points behind, with a game in hand, are reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. The Tshwane giants have scored more than any other side this season, finding the net 41 times while conceding only five. With 41 points from 17 outings, Jerry Tshabalala’s charges know that victory this weekend could propel them back to the top. The University of Fort Hare have been this season’s surprise package, punching well above their weight in third place with 39 points from 22 matches....

When Lonwabo Miso walked up to the stage at Multichoice City to accept the Broadcast Journalist of the Year Award at the SAFJA Awards, it was a full-circle moment. For someone who never set out to be in sports broadcasting, her journey is a reminder that sometimes, life has a way of leading us exactly where we’re meant to be. Lonwabo Miso For many, Miso is the confident voice on Radio 2000 or the sharp, engaging presenter on SABC Sport, but behind the microphone is a story shaped by unexpected turns, bold chances, and a passion rooted in family and community. From Architecture to Airwaves Surprisingly, broadcasting wasn’t always in her plans. “I actually studied Architectural Draughting at first,” she recalls. But fate had other ideas. An audition at Voice of Wits (VOW FM) became the catalyst for a new journey. Not only did she land a slot at the campus station, but she also earned a bursary to study at the Wits Radio Academy — the real beginning of her broadcasting career. Raised in K...

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies step into the 2025 CAF Women’s Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers with a reputation that precedes them. Having lifted the continental crown in 2021 and 2023, and reaching the final in 2022 where they narrowly lost on penalties to Zambia’s Green Buffaloes, Banyana Ba Style remain unbeaten in open play in the regional qualifiers since their debut. Andile Dlamini  © Gallo Images Banyana Banyana and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies goalkeeper Andile "Sticks" Dlamini knows the weight of expectation on her team’s shoulders. Having already established themselves as a dominant force in women’s football, Sundowns go into the tournament as favorites — but with that comes added pressure. “We are looking forward to the tournament and we are aware that we’ve made a name for ourselves,” Dlamini said. “This tournament won’t be easy — everyone that plays against us will want to be at their top A-game. We are fully aware of that, and we know what the club, the fans, our famil...

Every August, South Africa celebrates Women’s Month — a time to honour the trailblazers, change-makers, and everyday heroines shaping the future. In sport, these women are not just breaking barriers on the field but also redefining leadership, visibility, and opportunity off it. Among them is Indira Sofia Albuquerque, a former footballer turned sports marketing professional whose journey reflects both the challenges and the promise of women’s football.   Indira Sofia Albuquerque “I’ve always had a love for sport,” she begins with a smile. “I was a shy child, but being on a track, a field, or a court was my language.”  Hollywoodbets SL Log Indira’s early sporting life was a mix of athletics, netball, and tennis. Football only entered the picture when she was about 15 or 16. “I was a late bloomer,” she narrated, “but my athletic ability quickly made me stand out.” Not long after she started playing, South African football icon Janine van Wyk scouted her for her newly establ...

From the dusty streets of Kgaphamadi in Limpopo to the bright lights of the 2024 WAFCON stage, Dineo Magagula is the definition of resilience. Born and raised in a small village where football is more than just a sport—it’s a way out—Dineo’s journey began with playing barefoot with boys after school. At the time, she didn’t have gloves, boots, or even proper gear—but what she did have was passion. Dineo Magagula clean sheets Dineo Magagula  © Gallo Images “I used to play with my cousins and the local boys’ teams. I fell in love with soccer because it was the one thing that made me feel alive,” she says. Despite the many challenges, including financial constraints that made it almost impossible to afford proper goalkeeping equipment, Dineo never stopped dreaming. Her mother, her biggest supporter, made sacrifices to help her buy gear whenever she could, sometimes saving for months just to afford a single pair of gloves. “I would buy whatever gloves I could afford. Sometimes I had to...

South Africa's Women's national team Head Coach Dr. Desiree Ellis today announced the final squad that will represent the country at the upcoming TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), taking place from 5 to 26 July 2025. The reigning champions will travel to North Africa with a refreshed lineup full of rising talent and first-time call-ups, reflecting a generational shift in the team. Banyana Banyana  © Backpagepix As anticipated, star forward Thembi Kgatlana is not included in the squad, having been ruled out earlier due to injury. Her absence will be felt, but the focus now turns to the next generation of players tasked with carrying the nation’s hopes.  2022 WAFCON Missing players Two players who were initially part of the preliminary group—Michelle Sampson from the University of Fort Hare and Shakira O’Malley of Western Michigan University (USA)—have also been released from the squad following the final selection. Shakira O’Malley  © Backpagepix T...

 As the Hollywoodbets Super League season in full swing, University of the Western Cape (UWC) are gearing up for their league opener taking on defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and defender Unathi Simayile is preparing for one of the biggest games of her career. The 23-year-old from Cape Town, who recently earned her first call-up to the South African Women’s Senior National Team, sat down with us to discuss her journey as a student-athlete, her national team experience, and her mindset heading into the season opener. Unathi Simayile  ©  Gallo Images Stepping Up to the National Team Q: You recently received a call-up to the South African Women’s Senior National Team. How does playing at that level compare to club football? Unathi Simayile: Playing for the national team is a significant step up from club football. The intensity and level of competition are much higher, with the best players from around the country competing against each other. Every game is a b...

 Janine Van Wyk is no stranger to South African football. As a veteran defender, former national team captain, and founder of JVW FC, her influence on the women’s game has been undeniable. Now, she embarks on a new journey as head coach of JVW FC in the Hollywoodbets Super League. We caught up with her to discuss her transition from player to coach, her expectations for the season, and the broader landscape of women’s football in South Africa. Janine Van Wyk  © Gallo Images From Captain to Coach: A New Challenge Transitioning from a playing role to coaching is never easy, and Van Wyk acknowledges the challenges she has faced in her new position. “Shifting from playing to coaching has been a big adjustment, especially in terms of decision-making. As a player, you focus on your own performance, but as a coach, you have to manage an entire squad, balance different personalities, and make tough tactical and selection decisions,” she says. Another challenge has been separating my p...

 Puleng Moremi, the talented midfielder from Royal AM, had a compelling season in the Hollywoodbets Super League, showcasing her skill and resilience on the field. Originally from Welkom in the Free State, Puleng has journeyed through the ranks of South African football, playing for the U/17 and U/20 national teams and previously representing the University of the Western Cape. As the 2024 season comes to an end, Puleng shares her thoughts on her performance, the league, and her future aspirations. Puleng Moremi  © Royal AM FC Looking back at her personal performance in the 2024 season, Puleng opened up  about her progress and performance in the league. “I would say this is the best season I have ever had since joining Royal AM Ladies. It has been a season full of growth and I am extremely proud of how I have contributed to the team as a whole. If I had to rate my personal performance this season, I would probably give myself a 7 out of 10,” she shared.  “This season...

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies junior team demonstrated their dominance at the Engen Tournament - Champs of Champs winning the decorated title in spectacular fashion. In a fixture against five provincial teams across the country, the young Banyana Ba Style squad not only emerged unbeaten but also scored an impressive 11 goals without conceding a single one. The team’s organised defence and clinical attack were a reflection of the club's depth, and among the guiding forces on the side line was Zanele Madonsela, the senior team captain, who made her mark as an assistant coach for the young team. Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies  ©  X (@EngenSports) Madonsela, a seasoned leader and defensive stalwart for the first team, took on a new challenge at the tournament, transitioning from player to coach. After the tournament, I had the chance to sit down with her to discuss her experience in guiding the next generation of Sundowns talent and her thoughts on balancing playing and coaching. Seeing how ...

As the 2024-25 season transfer window in South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL) draws to a close at midnight, the role of football agents becomes more critical than ever. Behind the scenes, agents like Basia Michaels, a ground breaking agent in the football industry, are navigating the complexities of player negotiations, transfers, and career management.  Basia Michaels © IG: (Basia Michaels) Basia is not just any agent—she's a former captain of the University of Johannesburg Women’s Football team and played with the historical squad that clinched the first Varsity Football title in 2013, a significant achievement in her football career. Now, as one of the few female FIFA agents in South Africa, Basia plays a pivotal role in shaping the careers of top talents in South African football. We had the chance to speak with Basia Michaels to discuss her journey from player to agent and her thoughts on the evolving landscape of football management. Q: Could you define your job title a...