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