27 February 2020 – Defender Bambanani Mbane has joined the ever-growing list of Banyana Banyana players plying their trade abroad.
Mbane signed a one year deal with FC Dinamo Minsk from Belarus.
In a surprise move, she was handed the number 13 jersey, same as what she wears in the national team.
Speaking from Belarus after signing her deal, the former Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies stalwart had this to say:
“I can only thank God for this, it has long been coming and I was really patient but at some point I thought it would never happen but then the Almighty works in his own time. When the opportunity came to come this side I did not even think twice – I have been here for well over two weeks and finally I have put pen to paper,” said an excited Mbane.
“I am just grateful for the opportunity and will do the best I can to help the succeed. Right now the most important this is to settle quickly before the start of the league at the end of March so that I am ready. As for the jersey number, it came as a complete surprise and I could not say no to that number. I am happy I get to keep the same number as in the national team.”
Mbane is now the only South African in Belarus after the departure of Banyana Banyana duo Rachel Sebati and Letago Modiba from that country – they have now found a new home in Turkey where they come out in the colours of ALG Spor.
Other South African women players abroad are Refiloe Jane (Italy), Thembi Kgatlana (Portugal), Linda Motlhalo (Sweden), Regina Mogolola (Serbia), Zanele Nhlapo (Albania), Rachel Sebati and Letago Modiba (both Turkey), Amogelang Motau (USA) and Ode Fulutudilu (Finland).
FACT FILE:
| SA WOMEN PLAYERS ABROAD | ||
| PLAYER | POSITION | CLUB |
| Daniella De Sousa | Striker | Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma |
| Ode Fulutudilu | Striker | Aland United, Finland |
| Thembi Kgatlana | Midfielder | Benfica, Portugal |
| Anele Komani | Midfielder | University of West Alabama |
| Refiloe Jane | Midfielder | AC Milan, Italy |
| Letago Modiba | Forward | ALG Spor, Turkey |
| Andisiwe Mgcoyi | Striker | Apolonia, Albania |
| Regina Mogolola | Defender | Red Star Belgrade, Serbia |
| Linda Motlhalo | Midfielder | Djurgarden, Sweden |
| Amogelang Motau | Striker | Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma |
| Zanele Nhlapo | Defender | Apolonia, Albania |
| Kelso Peskin | Striker | Toulouse, France |
| Drishana Pillay | Defender | Oral Roberts University, Oklahoma |
| Rachel Sebati | Midfielder | ALG Spor, Turkey |
| Jermaine Seoposenwe | Striker | Real Betis, Spain |
| Chamelle Wiltshire | Defender | Lamar University, Beaumont, Texas |
| Bambanani Mbane | Defender | FC Dinamo Minsk, Belarus |