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BANYANA Banyana midfielder Stephanie Malherbe has always wanted to play football, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would be at the Olympics as an athlete.
The blonde 20-year-old, who was born and raised in Temecula, California in the US, now finds herself at the Rio Games where she is part of the South African women’s Olympic team.
"I never really thought some day I would be at the Olympics. This has been a big dream of mine since I was very young but I never thought I would be able to make it a reality, so it’s very exciting," said Malherbe from the Olympic Village.
She was unable to play for the national team during the Olympic qualifiers as she was still sorting out her documents — she is born of South African parents who now reside in the US.
The next step for the second year accounting student at the Texas A&M University was to blend in with her new team-mates. "I was shy and didn’t know if I would be accepted. But the team was very welcoming and now I feel very comfortable."
Steph, as she is known in the squad, has now played eight matches since making her debut for the senior national team in the international friendly against Cameroon in Doula in March.
Having played against the Netherlands, the US and recently against New Zealand, Malherbe says their plan for the Olympics is clear.
"As a team we all have the collective goal of making an impact, we are trying to show people that South African football is on the rise. We have so much talent and it would be amazing to get people to recognise that talent and our abilities," she said.
She has one bit of advice for her compatriots. "I believe if we play as a team, everyone is on the same page and we all believe in ourselves, we can absolutely do this."
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Banyana’s Steph living her dream
BANYANA Banyana midfielder Stephanie Malherbe has always wanted to play football, but never in her wildest dreams did she imagine she would be at the Olympics as an athlete.
The blonde 20-year-old, who was born and raised in Temecula, California in the US, now finds herself at the Rio Games where she is part of the South African women’s Olympic team.
"I never really thought some day I would be at the Olympics. This has been a big dream of mine since I was very young but I never thought I would be able to make it a reality, so it’s very exciting," said Malherbe from the Olympic Village.
She was unable to play for the national team during the Olympic qualifiers as she was still sorting out her documents — she is born of South African parents who now reside in the US.
The next step for the second year accounting student at the Texas A&M University was to blend in with her new team-mates. "I was shy and didn’t know if I would be accepted. But the team was very welcoming and now I feel very comfortable."
Steph, as she is known in the squad, has now played eight matches since making her debut for the senior national team in the international friendly against Cameroon in Doula in March.
Having played against the Netherlands, the US and recently against New Zealand, Malherbe says their plan for the Olympics is clear.
"As a team we all have the collective goal of making an impact, we are trying to show people that South African football is on the rise. We have so much talent and it would be amazing to get people to recognise that talent and our abilities," she said.
She has one bit of advice for her compatriots. "I believe if we play as a team, everyone is on the same page and we all believe in ourselves, we can absolutely do this."
Sascoc.co.za
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