Kaizer Chiefs’ Refiloe Maseko dreams of Man City move and Banyana Banyana return

Kaizer Chiefs Ladies midfielder Refiloe Maseko says playing overseas remains a major ambition, with a move to Man City her dream destination, while she also hopes to earn a return to Banyana Banyana.

Maseko was speaking during an online media roundtable hosted by Kaizer Chiefs in partnership with Arminia Bielefeld. The event, held to mark Women’s Month, was titled ‘United for Women’, with KickOff in attendance.

The 21-year-old midfielder believes the growth of women’s football in South Africa means a move abroad is now a realistic possibility. She is particularly interested in playing in the EPL or Germany’s Bundesliga, where she feels the game is more developed.

“It is a dream to play abroad, it has always been a dream to play overseas, especially in the EPL and the Bundesliga in Germany. Also how the football is structured that side, it seems more evolved, more advanced, it looks like they have progressed so much (compared) to where we are,” Maseko said.

She pointed to the South African players already competing overseas as evidence that the route is open to others.

“Is it possible? At the current rate South African ladies football is going it is possible. A few of our national team players are already playing abroad. So they’ve paved a way for us, in as much as we’re also paving the way for the younger generation.

“For me (as a dream), Man City, I’d probably scream.”

Maseko has already represented South Africa at the 2022 COSAFA Women’s Championship and is keen to return to the senior national team. She described the tournament as an important learning experience because of the physicality and quality of the opposition.

“I had the privilege of playing in the COSAFA team, it was a wonderful experience. It was a different kind of platform, playing against other African players. They are very strong, very physical, it’s a different ball game compared to the (level) we play here. So I learned a lot.

“It also helps you know new players and network and understand the type of football that is played out there and that there is space to learn more than just what you see in your own country.”

The former University of Johannesburg midfielder also emphasised the importance of preparing for life after playing. Maseko is studying sports science and says football has helped her build contacts and consider several possible career paths within the sports industry.

“Obviously, because we can’t just live off just football, for me personally I use football as a networking system, in terms of what am I going to do after football, what career path am I going to take,” Maseko said.

“I’m already in the sports industry in terms of education, I study sports science, so football has really opened another perspective, not only look at it from a player point of view, but I can become part of the technical team, in whichever form, share or size.

“Open up a business, train kids at grassroots level. So I’ve used football to network as much as possible, to see what is there far beyond just being a football player,” Maseko added.