Khabo Zitha: Legendary footballer reflects on time as Banyana star

Over the course of her career, Khabo Zitha has experienced many challenges, one of them being getting struck by lightning in broad daylight. And then her football career ended just when she thought she would be able to provide for her family through the sport.

“My heart ached when I learned that I would never be able to play football again after I sustained the injury,”

said Khabo Zitha.

Another challenge she encountered was being questioned about her sexuality during her time as captain of the women’s national team, Banyana Banyana.

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KHABO’ REMAINS LEGENDARY

The former footballer doesn’t play anymore but sportscaster Thomas Mlambo still remembers how tactical she used to be.

“Khabo Zitha is maybe the best women’s footballer I have ever seen with the ball at her feet, I do not even want to say women’s footballer – she’s the best footballer I have ever seen with the ball at her feet,” said Mlambo during his Sports at 10 show.

Khabo’s highlight came during the second game that the national team played following her injury, when Jo-Anne Solomon scored the first goal that was dedicated specifically to Khabo.

“I had hoped to play for the national team again after that, eish… but little did I know that the injury would be the end of me,”

Khabo said.

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KHABO ZITHA’S CONTRIBUTION

Zitha contributes to building women in football, is an activist against gender-based violence and coaches daily at a correctional services centre, where she works as a prison warder, according to her LinkedIn profile. She recently sent four lucky women to go study in the United States.

“Choosing these young ladies, I hope that they will come back and inform others that it is possible. I’m trying to teach them that when they do something, they should go out there and give it their all so that they can be recognised,”

Khabo said.