Cesane, Gamede part of new generation of Banyana

Noxolo Cesane and Bongeka Gamede are among some of the new generation of players in the current Banyana Banyana squad.

Gamede received her first call-up shortly before the squad travelled to France for their maiden Fifa Women’s World Cup in June, while Cesane joined up with the team at this year’s Cosafa Women’s Championship in Port Elizabeth.

Both have become key players for Banyana Banyana with their solid displays.

Gamede made her debut in the international friendly match against Norway in France – the last match before the start of the World Cup.

The defender has settled well with the team, but admits that at first there were some challenges.

“The biggest challenge for me was the thought of training and being in the same team as the senior players, but once I started training with them I realised that in football it’s not about how old you are. You just have to work hard and be dedicated,” she said.

Growing up in Ixopo, Kwa-Zulu Natal, Gamede’s greatest challenge was that there we no female teams in her community so she always played with her brothers and other boys.

She became exposed to women’s football and teams when she joined the Sasol League, playing for the University of Western Cape, where she has been made captain of the team in the newly-launched Safa National Women’s League.

Gamede walked away with the Sasol National Champs Queen of Queens award in 2018.

After Banyana Banyana were knocked out in the first round at the World Cup, she joined the USSA squad for the 2019 Universiade Student Games in Napoli, Italy.

Cesane made a name for herself in Banyana colours immediately she was given a chance to play in Port Elizabeth and became a favourite of the Nelson Mandela Bay crowd after scoring her first international goal at the tournament.

She started playing football at the age of six and was inspired by her brother who played for a PSL team. She then went on to join the Sasol League, playing for Cape Town Roses at the age of 11.

“Playing in the Sasol League brought me confidence, I always wanted to help my team win but above that I would always strive for more achievements such as winning Diski Queen or player of the match.

“I always looked at how I could do more to stand out and I believe it’s all about being able and willing to do extra work. It’s important to believe and never give up,” she said.

The forward has an identical twin sister, Sinoxolo, who also plays football, and have both featured for the South African Under-20 Women’s National Team (Basetsana).

Despite limited time in the senior team, Noxolo has done well for herself over the years and gathered a lot of experience.

She was the 2013 Sasol National Champs Queen of Queens, and won the 2014 Sasol National Champs Young Queen award.

Noxolo is a teammate of Gamede at UWC, and both were part of the Banyana squad that participated in their first-ever World Cup in France.