Noko Matlou
Noko Alice Matlou (born 30 September 1985) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Spanish Primera Federación side SD Eibar. She has played for the South Africa women's national team both as a striker and a defender. In 2008, Matlou became the first South African to be named African Women's Footballer of the Year.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Noko Alice Matlou[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 30 September 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Moletjie, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker, defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | Eibar | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Development Ladies | |||
| Brazilian Ladies | |||
| University of Johannesburg | |||
| MaIndies | |||
| 2021– | Eibar | 40 | (0) |
| International career‡ | |||
| 2006– | South Africa | 168 | (66) |
Medal record | |||
| *Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 May 2022 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 July 2023 (prior the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup) | |||
Club career edit
At a club level, she plays for MaIndies. She has previously played for Development Ladies, Brazilian Ladies and the University of Johannesburg. Within footballing circles, she is nicknamed "Beep-Beep".[2] Matlou trains with male footballers to enhance her game: "I train regularly with local male clubs and when I get on to the field with the women they simply cannot touch me."[3]
In 2008, she became the first South African to be named African Women's Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football.[4]
International career edit
Matlou made her debut for South Africa women's national football team ("Banyana Banyana") in December 2006.[5] In September 2009, Matlou was subjected to a gender "inspection" by a referee in the presence of the opposition captain, before South Africa's match against Ghana at Caledonian Stadium, Pretoria. She was allowed to play in the match after being confirmed as female.[6]
Matlou came to prominence within the national team by scoring six goals at the 2008 African Women's Championship.[5] She has been selected for the squads for a variety of tournaments, including at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom.[2] In 2014, South Africa's coach Vera Pauw deployed Matlou—previously a striker, as a defender.[7]
Honours edit
South Africa
Individual
References edit
- ^ "Athlete Information". Universiade 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ a b "Noko Alice "Beep-Beep" Matlou". Sasol in Sport. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ Mohamed, Zaheda (9 January 2015). "Belle of the ball". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
- ^ a b "Noko Matlou makes history". KickOff. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ a b Taele, Keabetswe (8 December 2008). "Banyana do SA proud". Independent Online (South Africa).
- ^ "Banyana dispute gender cheating claims". Sport24. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ Moholoa, Ramatsiyi (10 July 2014). "Matlou adapts to Banyana role in defence". The Sowetan. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ "Magaia brace hands South Africa first TotalEnergies WAFCON trophy". CAF. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
External links edit