12 February 2020 – Hilda Magaia, Rhoda Mulaudzi and Noko Matlou all have one thing in common: they are scoring goals like they are going out of fashion in the inaugural season of the SAFA Women’s National League.
The trio, from TUT, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and First Touch Academy respectively, has hit the back of the net 78 times in the league.
Magaia is leading the way with a record 32 strikes in 18 games, followed by Mulaudzi three goals behind (29) after only 14 matches, while Matlou is slowly climbing up the ladder with 17 to her name, also in 18 outings.
Mulaudzi is by far the most prolific of the three forwards – she re-joined her current club late after a short stint in Cyprus, hence she has played fewer games than her Banyana Banyana teammates.
She hails from Limpopo and has been part of Sundowns Ladies team for a few years, however, she did not start the season with them as she was still playing for Australia-based Canberrra United in the 2018 -2019 season alongside Banyana Banyana teammate Refiloe Jane.
Mulaudzi is also known for scoring some crucial goals for the South African Senior Women’s National Team, and will be hoping that her current form can help her cement her place in the squad that will play at this year’s Africa Women’s Cup of Nations.
“I am enjoying my football and believe that I can still offer more to Sundowns. We want to win the league and market women’s football, because people still think little about women’s football,” said Mulauzi.
“Personally, I believe that I have grown as a player, and have become mentally stronger through the years. I am a natural striker and I am enjoying my football. It is also encouraging that our matches are now on television so as players we can display our talent for the nation to see.”