When Team South Africa left for London on Thursday night, most of the athletes received Bon Voyage hugs from their loved ones and close family members.
Amanda Dlamini did not.
“None of my family or close friends are coming to the airport,” said the Banyana Banyana captain earlier in the day “They are all in KZN, so they won’t make it.”
Far from feeling sorry for herself though, Dlamini was in high spirits having been assured that there were many thinking of her as she left the country to embark on an historic moment.
“My family and friends have been calling me all day wishing me a safe journey and good luck for the games. And I know there’ll be lots of other people and fans of our team to bid us farewell.”
Among those who called here were Banyana Banyana’s first ever captain Desiree Ellis and former coach Fran Hilton Smith.
“Desiree called telling me we must do our best and also enjoy ourselves,” said Dlamini “And Fran reminded me and the team that we’re going to London carrying the hopes and dreams of many people and that we should go there and represent.”
On Saturday Dlamini will awake to turn 24, a day she accepts might not see her munching on birthday cake. Again, the skipper of South Africa’s senior women’s team is unperturbed.
“Maybe there might be some celebration of sort,” she said “But I’d rather spent the day working hard at training and celebrated on Wednesday after our first match. Nothing will beat a definite good victory for a birthday present, won’t you say?”
Banyana open their maiden Olympic Games’ campaign against Sweden in Coventry on Wednesday and while she would have loved for her mother to witness her daughter make South African history live, Dlamini is just pleased that her number one supporter will be in the UK for the other two group matches.
“My mom is my biggest fan and I am a bit sad she might miss the match. She’s flying to London on the day of the match but I hope she gets to watch the opening one maybe on TV at the airport.”
Dlamini’s mother has received sponsorship from a good Samaritan “who saw her on the BBC during a profile they were doing on me”. Equally excited and anxious at her being the first to captain the country’s women team at the Olympics, Dlamini says the knowledge that her mother will be at some of her matches is huge inspiration.
“She’s been to some of my matches and like most children her presence has always seen me give it my all. And now at such a big stage, I am going to go out to make her proud.”
“It wasn’t easy at the beginning because she would have rather had me help her cook or clean the house, but there I was out playing football. She was very supportive though and bought me boots and even game me pocket money to get juice at matches”
While progression past the group stage would be a huge achievement, Dlamini’s Olympic goal is that their participation helps see the formation of a professional woman’s league. – Star Africa