Desiree Ellis urges youth to be inspired by Noko Matlou

Coach Desiree Ellis's inclusion of the veteran defender in the final 23-member squad has confirmed the old adage that “age is just a number". Several nations have yet to reveal their final teams, including co-hosts the Ferns. However, as things stand, Matlou will be in this special group for her second World Cup appearance alongside two-time World Champion Megan Rapinoe of the USA, who will be 38 by kickoff.

Ellis says, much like it did not for recent Women’s Africa Cup of Nations winner Nthabiseng Majiya, Matlou's age has no bearing on her selection.

"I've always said it's not about age, I've always said it's what you can add. I've always said it's what you bring to the team because if you're still capable, if you're still able then age shouldn't matter. We had the youngest player in the squad at WAFCON which was Nthabiseng at 18. For me it's always about what you can add to the team," she told SABC Sport.

Matlou recently extended her contract with SD Eibar after helping the club gain promotion back to Spain’s top women's league. And the former national captain believes the influential striker-turned-defender deserves every bit of fortune that comes her way, including this all-important call-up to the national team.

"It shows the quality of Noko that a club goes down, keeps her there, comes up, and gives her a new contract. I mean you look at Noko, Noko has really worked hard. I've always said to Noko, 'You've paid your dues in South African football, go and enjoy yourself and make some money because you deserve that,' she said.

"When a young player comes into this team and they look at Noko, then they say: ‘wow if she can then I can.’"

Matlou, who was part of the 2022 WAFCON winning squad, adding to the 2018 CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year award, made her professional debut aged 35. And Ellis says the Limpopo-born is a constant reminder of what is possible regardless of upbringing.

"Where she comes from, the rural disadvantaged community says to the next person there their dream is valid if they also put in the work. She has shown, to be part of this team, she's putting in the extra work. I think that should be an inspiration for anyone out there.”

“She's still playing abroad, and not just any league. She's playing in Spain, one of the top leagues in the world. That is what we should aspire to do. She was here once, in these Sasol Leagues, the Hollywoodbets League, she was here. The way she's reinvented herself because the longer you play, you reinvent yourself to be better. And that she's done fantastically."