Banyana Banyana’s dynamic midfielder Amogelang Motau kicks off leadership role

The story of Banyana Banyana central midfielder Amogelang Motau and how she climbed to the heights she finds herself occupying is typical for a number of South African sportswomen.

She was born and spent her formative years in Modimolle, Limpopo. At about the age of seven the sports-loving Motau gravitated towards soccer as her favourite sport. She played it with some of the boys in her neighbourhood because there was no opportunity to play at an all-girls’ club or at school.

Motau’s mother, Rosetta Motau, initially didn’t approve of her love of soccer, but as a single mother raising four children, she had little time to restrict her daughter’s newfound pursuit.

It’s a blessing in disguise that Rosetta had her hands full at the time, because Motau would probably not have found herself on the path she eventually pursued after the seeds were planted on the streets of Modimolle in the early 2000s.

Now she is one of the best soccer players in South Africa – a dynamic and hardworking midfielder who covers every centimetre of the field. She packs a powerful shot and can also tap into her vast passing range. These are skills that Motau (28) has honed from a young age in a national team set-up.

Early potential and discovery

Scouted by the South African Football Association when she was representing her province, Motau was recruited into the Safa high-performance centre in her early teens. She then rose through the ranks, going on to captain both the under-17 and under-20 national teams during her time as a junior.

Although Safa regularly sabotages some of the great work it does due to the negative publicity linked directly to its president, Danny Jordaan, and his alleged misdemeanours, Motau’s rise up the various national ranks is evidence that not everything is broken at the association.

Of course, after Safa gave her the stage, Motau still had to seize the opportunity and deliver. She did, eventually stepping up to the Banyana Banyana fold for the first time in 2016.

Despite making her senior debut nearly a decade ago, Motau has not always been a regular in Banyana. The former University of the Western Cape (UWC) skipper has usually been forced to settle for the role of a supporting cast member in the senior women’s side.

Whether it was because of heavy competition from teammates who were internationally based or for tactical reasons, her minutes on the field have not always equated to the amount of work she has put in over the years.

However, she has never let this perturb her. Instead, Motau has always kept her head down and risen to the occasion when Banyana Banyana coach Desiree Ellis has called on her.

A year of major developments

Not only is the seasoned midfielder in the frontlines of Banyana Banyana’s CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (Wafcon) campaign at the moment, but she has also been given a leadership role by Ellis and her technical team.

Motau is one of three Banyana Banyana captains in their quest for more continental success in Morocco, where the delayed 2024 Wafcon is taking place until 26 July. She will share the armband with Refiloe Jane and Lebohang Ramalepe.

This development for Motau came on the back of her being named the Hollywoodbets Super League player of the season in 2024, and then earning a move from UWC to Mexican top-flight Club Tijuana Femenil in early 2025. The move came at a stage in her career when she was content with maybe never playing at elite club level, although she would have been hopeful.

“It’s not a coincidence for me to be where I am now. It’s something that I’ve been working towards for years, without even changing the recipe – just constantly showing up and working hard, even when nobody is looking. That’s been my case for the longest time,” Motau told Daily Maverick.

“But I’m starting to get more minutes here in the national team. This was always my goal: to be on the field and contribute positively towards the team.

“Now I’m in a very good position to be doing that and it’s such an honour for me,” said Motau, who has a bachelor of administration degree. “Being where I am now is definitely a dream come true – something I’ve been working towards for years. So, it’s quite fulfilling.”

Dealing with adversity

Motau says she has faced challenges in her career – for instance, when she did not make the final cut for South Africa’s 2023 Fifa Women’s World Cup squad. It was a bitter disappointment for her, but she chose to look at the bigger picture.

“The constant reminder to myself was that being in the national team was always a goal and dream for the younger version of myself. So, that’s who I’ve been doing it for on my way to achieving that dream,” Motau said.

“As a footballer it’s also important to have a purpose besides things on the field. For me, the biggest drive has been my family, to ensure that I achieve my goals so that I can make life better for them. That’s my biggest motivation.”

Mexican fiesta

As for her time in Mexico since her January switch, Motau says it’s been a great learning experience, even with language barrier struggles. Fortunately for her, Banyana Banyana teammate Hildah Magaia is also in the Tijuana fold.

Fellow South Africans Jermaine Seoposenwe, Thembi Kgatlana and Sinoxolo Cesane also compete in the Liga MX Femenil.

“It’s been a huge adjustment, especially because of the language barrier. I don’t speak much Spanish, but I’m working towards learning that so that I can make my life easier – on and off the field,” Motau said.

“On the positive side, it’s been amazing, especially in terms of the competitiveness – playing competitively week in and week out. That will improve me as a player and I’m already seeing the results.

“It’s been amazing as much as it’s been challenging. But it’s another dream come true, no matter how challenging it is. So, I’m just happy to show up and do my best.”

Motau’s best will be essential in Morocco as Banyana Banyana aim to become one of the most successful teams in Wafcon history by joining Equatorial Guinea with two continental titles. Apart from Banyana Banyana and Equatorial Guinea, Nigeria is the only other team to win the Wafcon – with 11 titles. South Africa has massive catching up to do. DM

This story first appeared in our weekly Daily Maverick 168 newspaper, which is available countrywide for R35.