SOUTH AFRICA is a country with full potential and women’s football should be prioritised, says Clarence Seedorf.
Seedorf is a four-time UEFA Champions League winner with three different clubs, and has been invited to showcase his skills in the country as part of the Heineken All-Invitational five-a-side exhibition match.
The match is scheduled for this Saturday evening at Gallagher in Midrand.
“I love this country and me being invited to come and grace this exhibition is personal,” says Seedorf, accompanied by that signature smile.
Sport and particularly women’s football is close to my heart because I have three-daughters who also follow football, he told a packed media at the launch.
The Dutch star will join the likes of former Liverpool and Barcelona legend Luis Garcia, who played an instrumental role in Liverpool’s 2005 Uefa Champions League triumph, Tottenham Hotspur ladies forward and Morocco national player Rosella Ayane.
SA’s line-up features Amanda Dlamini, Andile Dlamini, Benni McCarthy, Mpumi Nyandeni, Portia Modise, Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane, Ronwen Williams, Teko Modise and Zanele Nhlapho.
“We have been involved in football globally for decades through the Uefa Champions League and more recently through the Uefa Women’s Champions League,” said Marcel Swain, head of marketing at Heineken SA.
“Through this involvement we want to show SA that the game is for everyone by celebrating inclusivity and diversity in football. The All-Invitational is thus not only designed to thrill fans but to challenge stereotypes and change mindsets, hence the five-a-side showcase will welcome both male and female football all-stars to the same pitch.”
Former Kaizer Chiefs goalminder Brian “Spider Baloyi said the match exhibition by Heineken dispel the notion that one gender is better than the other.
“Women continue to play a very critical roles in our communities and as such, should be respected. I’m happy that there’s growth in women’s football development in our country and the more we make noise the better for them and sponsors will begin to offer that support,” says Baloyi, whose words were also echoed by another ex- AmaKhosi midfielder Reneilwe “Yeye” Letsholonyane.
Image SLM (Clarence Seedorf, Lucas Radebe, Amanda Dlamini, Brian Baloyi, ‘Yeye’ Letsholonyane and other players, posing for photo opportunity at the media launch held on Friday at Marriot Hotel, Melrose Arch. They will perform at the Heineken All-Invitational five-a-side exhibition match on Saturday evening).
