Women in Football: Pioneers in Man’s world

The month of August in South Africa is known as Women’s Month; an entire month dedicated to celebrating women from all spheres and walks of life. Women who inspire others, who fight for equality and the rights of their fellow women. Women’s month is also a time to celebrate the achievements and strides women have made in their respective industries; those who defy the odds and triumph, paving the way and becoming trailblazers and pioneers for other women to follow in their footsteps.

In celebration of South Africa’s Women’s Month; I will look at women who have held their own in the male dominated space of football. These high-heeled warriors have made history, broken barriers and have paved the way for women like me, who in future, are looking to build and maintain a career in the football industry. These women are truly SUPERWOMEN!

Fatma Samoura (FIFA Secretary General) – Lady In Charge

Fatma Samoura - FIFA Secretary-General

Fatma Samoura is the Secretary General of the biggest footballing organization in the world; FIFA, having assumed the role in June 2016 after the departure of Jerome Valcke. She is responsible for overseeing the commercial and operational side of the organization. Ms. Samoura has also worked for the United Nations World Food Programme (WFP), covering numerous complex emergencies including Kosovo, Liberia, Nicaragua, Sierra Leone, and Timor-Leste (East Timor). She was appointed the Deputy Humanitarian Coordinator (DHC) for eastern Chad by the United Nations in 2007, where she was tasked with the return of internally displaced persons during the conflict in Darfur.

Fatma Samoura and FIFA President Gianni Infantino

Kate Abdo – The Queen of the Ballon D’Or

Kate Abdo

Anyone who has ever watched Sky Sports is familiar with the amazing talent that is Kate Abdo. Abdo started her career as an anchor for the World Sport program from London as well as anchoring sports at the German international news network Deutsche Welle for their English and German-language services. Abdo’s profile as a seasoned sports anchor grew as she hosted the 2014 and 2015 Ballon D’Or awards, not only holding her own amongst the best of the best in football, but displaying her excellent presenting skills and her multilingual talents by speaking with the contestants in four languages. Kate’s CV also boasts serious credentials including her work for Sky as a sports anchor for the Sky Sport News HD TV channel, and hosting Sky Sports News and the Coppa Italia. Currently, she is a presenter and host of various programs on Turner Sports and Fox Sports, mostly Turner's Champions League and Europa League coverage.

Kate and Ronaldo at the FIFA  Ballon D'Or

Bibiana Steinhaus – The First Female Referee in Top Flight Football

Bibiana Steinhaus

Bibiana Steinhaus made international headlines and football history when she became the first woman to officiate a match in the German top flight, the Bundlesliga. The match played in 2017 between Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen ended in a 1-1 draw. Previously, Steinhaus, had officiated in the Women's World Cup and the Women’s Champions League final between Lyon and Paris St-Germain, and had also officiated games in the German second tier since 2007 as well as matches in the German Cup.

Bibiana officiating Hertha Berlin and Werder Bremen match

Carol Tshabalala – The First Lady of South African Football.

Carol Tshabalala

Known in South Africa as the “First Lady of Football”, and beloved by the South African football community, Carol Tshabalala is the true definition of a rose amongst thorns. Having started her career as a sports news reporter for Kaya FM, Carol rose through the ranks to become a drive time sports show host for Radio 2000 as well as a sports caster for SABC Sports. In 2013, she spread her wings and joined SuperSport where she is currently a sports broadcaster, producer and voice-over artist. She is also a freelance reporter and a live studio anchor at the Barclays Premier League Football Today Live Shows and the only African woman to host the FIFA Ballon D’Or.

Carol with Supersport analysts

Signed

Goonerette93

More than just a game

I remember the day, distinctly. I can even remember where I was and what I was doing so well because it’s the one day I’ll never forget: the day we broke our 8-year trophy drought.

It was the 2014 FA Cup Final; Arsenal were playing against Hull City. Our road to Wembley was long and tough, having played to extra time in the semi-final against Wigan and eventually beating them on penalties, everything seemed like it would be a breeze…until we were 2-nil down in the space of ten minutes! My heart sank and in the back of my mind, I knew it was over.

But then a glimmer of hope, Santi Carzola found a way through and by half-time it was 2-1. Then in the 71^st minute Kos made it 2-2 and by the 90^th minute, things were still even… extra time to follow. I remember, seeing Wenger deliver his extra time team huddle, the boys were tired, the teams hopes and spirits were buoyed by noise from both fans and you I had that ever so present thought every football fan dreads: Penalties. I whispered a silent prayer: “Please don’t let this game go to penalties” with my mind and heart racing with the knowledge that whoever scores next wins; and I prayed it was the Arsenal.

But lo and behold, in the 109^th minute, Aaron “Rambo” Ramsey scored! The amount of jubilation, joy and utter relief I felt after the final whistle will forever be in my memory. Seeing Wenger happy was priceless… that victory meant more to him than anything on God’s green Earth. And when the players hoisted the FA Cup trophy in the air, that’s when it finally sunk in: we, the Arsenal, having been starved of silverware for 8 long years, had finally had it in our possession, we were the FA Cup Champions!

Aaron Ramsey scores the winner for Arsenal at the 2014 FA Cup Final

It’s memories like these that make football more than just a game to me. It’s the roller-coaster of feelings and emotions one can feel over a simple 90 minutes. It’s the stinging disappointment when your team loses but the sheer joy and excitement when you win. It’s the ever lying sense that you, and million others all around the world, are feeling the very same emotions; hurt, shock, pain, joy and happiness... we’re all banded together by a simple game capable of bringing the fiercest of emotions in us. It's why football is more than just a game.

Wenger with the FA Cup trophy

Arsenal: 2014 FA Cup winners

Signed

Goonerette93

The very complicated life of a female football fan

As a female football fan, I’ve always struggled with where I belong exactly. With the guys, it’s like you’re a magical unicorn, beamed from outer space by the football gods or just one of those girls who doesn’t understand the game and is just watching for the men.  With the girls it’s like you’re some crazy weirdo, watching a sport liked mostly by guys. So it’s no surprise that I get some of the craziest reactions from both guys and girls when it comes to my deep and undying love for the beautiful game.

I can’t even begin to tell you the comments I’ve heard from people throughout the years when I happen to reveal that I like sports; and lo and behold football. It becomes an even bigger fuss when they realize that I support Arsenal.  I remember one time, I was wearing my beloved Arsenal shirt to work and a male colleague asked, stone faced; “Did you borrow that from your boyfriend? Is that his shirt?”. Another fine gentleman, having spotted the trade mark red and white of the Arsenal said:” Do u support Arsenal cos you’re an arse?”. Then come the constant barrage of questions when I try and buy a football jersey at the store. Once a male shop assistant boldly asked me if I was buying my Arsenal shirt for my boyfriend or dad, and then proceeded with the famous line” I’ve never met a girl who likes football”.

And that’s just the tip of the ice-berg compared to the dumbfounded looks of surprise and somewhat confusion I’ve received throughout the years. But that’s much better than the guys who simply want to test my football knowledge by asking the most ridiculous questions to catch me off guard. Guys will literally want you to recite the Champions League anthem word for word, want you to peddle stats on the Messi vs Ronaldo debate or ask you who scored the winning goal at the 1990 World Cup final.

But that’s even worse compared to girls who’ve asked me flat out why I love football or who just give me a crazy demented look.  Girls who straight up find you weird for liking a ‘guys sport’ and feel the need to ask why you willingly torture yourself; as if watching football is the most torturous act of self-infliction on Earth. Or girls who think you watch the sport just cause you’re trying to get in with the guys, trying to make yourself relatable to them. Girls, just because I love football doesn’t mean I’m impartial to the cuties all over the field that you seemingly notice as well. I see them too, in all their hunky glory (and I’m not ashamed to admit that I do scan the teams to see the cutest guy in the squad; I am a girl after all).

But I have to admit, I appreciate those guys who give you props for being a female football fan. The ones who make you a part of the ‘brotherhood’ and don’t see you as a band wagon fan, who don't approach you with a condescending tone and don’t feel compelled to test your football knowledge. From the bottom of my football loving; THANK YOU!!

I have to say I’m quite petty when it comes to football stanning. I understand the importance of rivalry and a derby. I plain out refused to hug a colleague once cos he was wearing a Man United shirt. I’m all up for banter and give props when props are due to player; even if they are my rivals. But it comes with the territory of loving the game; it’s instilled in me, it’s in my blood.

Signed

Goonerette93