Africa is slowly closing the gap on their international counterparts - Shilene Booysen

Currently, the head coach of Wadi Degla Women’s Football Club in Egypt, the Cape Town-born former goalkeeper is the first to admit that Africa still has a long way to go but adds that there are some positives.

“If you see how many players we have now export to the European, Mexican and US leagues, it’s very clear we are narrowing the gap. We need to make sure we close it completely with our teams becoming competitive when going to global tournaments. I think our leagues still have a way to go as many of them have not yet been fully professionalised, which makes it hard on players to earn a living from it and also to continue to get better as they play, study and work, all at the same time,” said Booysen from her base in Egypt.

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport, the former assistant coach at Houston Dash in the USA at the National Women’s Soccer League (NWSL), Booysen says there are certain things that can be done to get African countries as close to the international standards as possible.

“In Europe they now have a nations league where the national teams play each other on a regular basis during the FIFA breaks, might be something to think about going forward. More competitions at the highest level will also be something that will raise the profile of our National teams. Looking at the last world cup and how well the African teams performed, tells me we are making strides in the right direction,” she said.

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Wadi Degla missed out on the league title the last two seasons.

After 15 games in the current campaign, they are third on the log standings of the Egypt Premier League Women on 38 points – eight behind log leaders and defending champions, FC Masar.

Wadi Degla competed in the CAF Women’s Champions League in 2022, and still harbour hopes of going back.

“Yesterday (Sunday, 2 February) we played FC Masar and drew 1-1. Unless we win the league we cannot even think Champions League so we are fighting hard to end on top of the table come the end of the season,” said Booysen.

After spending just over a year in Egypt, the South African is enjoying every minute of her time in North Africa and has not even thought of coaching elsewhere.

“I love it here. The Egyptian people are some of the friendliest that I have met anywhere in the world. I live in an amazing space here in Cairo. The food is good. My players are like my own and the club is like family. I could not have asked for a better team to be a part of,” she said.

“Currently my contract is with Wadi Degla and my heart is here too. The players are amazing and the club treats me with so much respect. I cannot think for now that I want to be anywhere else.”