12th May 2024
The midfielder has heaped praise on Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies saying it is the epitome what a women’s football team is all about.
Dlamini’s comments came shortly before Friday night’s announcement that Banyana Ba Style are heading to the USA in August to face three other teams in the annual Women’s Cup.
"I think Mamelodi Sundowns are putting every sort of like resource to make sure that they're the people who literally bench mark what women's football needs to be about and you need those people to make sure that they paint the picture of what women's football should be about and I think the rest is up to COSAFA and SAFA to really support the other teams whether it's financial, whether it's commercial, advertising the game as well” Dlamini said.
“But I think the rest of the teams that need to fight for second spot, third spot, really need to work hard to make sure that they give a good competition to Mamelodi Sundowns. It's never easy, I think you look at teams like JVW. UJ for me has been absolutely impressive, UWC as well. TS Galaxy are also putting a good fight and it's always just good to see who else is gonna take up that spot."
Dlamini has also revealed that she is still disappointed that Banyana Banyana failed to make the Olympic Games for the second time in a row, adding that it is important for South Africa to qualify for major tournaments and play at the highest level.
She captained South Africa at the Games in 2012 in London and was part of the squad four years later in Rio, Brazil.
"I was at Loftus actually on that night and I thought to myself we are at home maybe the crowd could also just really try and boost the ladies to try and fight but absolutely disappointing that we couldn't make the Olympics because every athlete wants to be at the Olympic Games,” Dlamini added.
“Also, I think as WAFCON champions you'd expect that Banyana would automatically be at the Olympic Games but I guess they did well at the World Cup and you sort of look at where could we improve in terms of making sure that we qualify for all the big competitions. So that we are able to compete at the highest level."