Nomvula Kgoale: Attention to mental health is important in football

Kgoale admitted to mental health struggles during her two-year spell in Spain with Club Polideportivo Cacereno and CD Parquesol in 2021 and 2022 respectively.

She told SABC Sport that it was mainly the language barrier that made it difficult for her to gel well with the rest of the team as a foreign player.

"Just playing overseas was, first, the language barrier – remember I had gone to Spain, after spending over six years in the United States," said Kgaole.

"And also just coming into a new team after being injured, the girls are comfortable with each other and the language, playing-wise, and then I come as a black woman and, first of all, they look at you like you're crazy.

"When you step on the field and start playing, they make you feel like you don't know what you're doing, like with simple things – soccer drills when they are being explained, I don't understand them and I have to just watch what they do and try to mirror that.

"Coaches, when they're passing on instructions, I've got to go to one or two girls who are able to explain to me in English – and even they are not as comfortable with English.

"So, you're just trying to pick up whatever you can in order to be able to communicate, and even as I tried to learn the language, it just wasn't so that I could gel with the girls.

"You try so hard to make the girls feel comfortable and that you know what you're doing, you're good at what you're doing, and you didn't come here by mistake."

READ: UWC trio next in line for European moves

The 28-year-old joined the Mpumalanga-based side in its debut Hollywoodbets Super League season in 2023, after acquiring the status of Vasco da Gama Ladies.

She played a key role in helping Galaxy finish 4th on the log, and says she’s happy to have signed with the team straight after playing abroad, despite the many challenges the club is faced with.

"I can say that I'm enjoying my stay at TS Galaxy. First of all, it's what I have at hand, and I'm not going to shy away from the truth that there are still so many challenges that the club faces – it only just started last year," she added.

"So there are a lot of things that the club still needs to grow into and figure out, whether it be salaries for the players or the overall management of the club, because so many other clubs – including Mamelodi Sundowns – which have existed for over a decade.

"The ladies football side has always been there, so imagine TS Galaxy only starting last year, how much work needs to be done to get to a point where it's properly run.

"So there's still a long way to go, but I'm enjoying it because it's a team that I picked, first of all, and I vowed to work for them for as long as I'm contracted with them."