A 16-year-old girl from Solomon Mahlangu Secondary School in KwaNobuhle, Emihle Mbali, is regarded as one of the top upcoming female football players, not only in Nelson Mandela Bay, but in the country.
Sizwe Kula, an educator, coach and convenor of the school’s female soccer side said her exceptional skills are the way she dribbles the ball and her ability to kick equally hard with both legs.
“This increases her scoring opportunities and confuses opponents as they do not know what to expect from her. That is why she is a top goal scorer,” said Kula.
According to Mbali, who currently is in Grade 11, she was offered bursaries from University of Johannesburg, University of Tshwane, Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club as well the University of Durban.
“But I have decided to stay in KwaNobuhle. I first want to finish my matric at Solomon Mahlangu. There-after I will accept opportunities at established football clubs,” said Mbali.
When asked which football player she admires, she said, “Refiloe Jane, captain of Banyana Banyana. She also is a midfielder like me, and a very good one. I like the way she plays.”
Whilst the school’s football league will kick off only in September, Mbali currently is playing for the KwaNobuhle Ladies Football Club which is second on the log in Nelson Mandela Bay.
Mbali earlier was selected for the Eastern Province girls football squad and was included in a South African team which competed in Ghana where she was named the top goal scorer.
