17 October 2017 – South African U20 Women’s national team defensive midfielder, Katlego Mabuza says playing football is equally important as getting quality education.

The 19-year-old Sports Management student from the University of Johannesburg is currently pursuing a career in the field of Sports Management while working hard to help Basetsana secure a place in next year’s FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup.

“I love playing football but an educational background is critical as a fallback plan when playing days are over. Football is a very short career, can even be shortened by injuries so I strongly believe in getting proper education” says the Soweto-born midfielder.

Mabuza says her love for football came at the age of seven from her grandfather who was an avid football follower. This led to her joining amateur clubs from her neighbourhood before eventually enrolling at the University of Johannesburg where she currently plays her football.

Having made her national team debut against Swaziland in a friendly, Mabuza says she still has a lot to learn and hopes Basetsana can qualify for the World Cup so she can get global exposure and hopefully make a move to Europe where she would like to play her football.

“I have a dream of playing football in England one day and I think it is a dream that is very much possible. I am fortunate to be in the Basetsana squad that is competing for a place in the World Cup and hopefully we make it to France where I can be scouted for a club in England” says Mabuza.

Basetsana will assemble for camp on Sunday, 30 October in preparation for their return leg against Burundi in round two of the 2018 FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup qualifiers before hosting the East Africans two weeks later in the return leg.

The FIFA U20 Women’s World Cup will take place in France between 5 and 24 August.