Leandra Smeda wins 2026 SAFJA Women’s Footballer of the Year award

TS Galaxy Queens striker Leandra Smeda has been named the 2026 South African Football Journalists Association Women’s Footballer of the Year after a prolific campaign in which she scored 22 goals.

The award recognises Smeda’s contribution during the 2025 season, when her goals helped TS Galaxy finish third in the Hollywoodbets Super League with 69 points from 30 matches.

Smeda said the honour was particularly meaningful because it was voted for by journalists who regularly follow and report on South African football.

“I’m incredibly honoured and grateful to win the award. I think I had a really good season last year, and receiving this award from the people who cover our games confirms it,” she told SABC Sport.

The striker also collected the Hollywoodbets Super League Player of the Season award after playing a central role in TS Galaxy’s top-three finish.

For Smeda, the two accolades reflect the work she put in throughout the campaign, as well as her effectiveness in front of goal.

“I do feel that I worked hard last season and I was instrumental in helping the team finish in the top three,” she said.

“I believe managing to score the goals I did was also key to earning recognition from the South African Football Journalists Association. I am grateful to everyone who voted.”

TS Galaxy have faced a more difficult 2026 campaign, however. Coach Sizwe Sibiya has left the club and the team has fallen two places in the league standings.

The club has also faced reported problems involving unpaid player salaries, adding to the difficulties surrounding the season.

Smeda acknowledged that those issues have affected the team’s progress and have also restricted her own opportunities to play.

Despite the setbacks, she believes TS Galaxy could have achieved more had the club been operating in better circumstances.