Noko Alice Matlou (born 30 September 1985) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Spanish Primera Federación side CP Cacereño Femenino. She has played for the South Africa women's national team both as a striker and a defender.
| Personal information | |||
|---|---|---|---|
| Full name | Noko Alice Matlou[1] | ||
| Date of birth | 30 September 1985 | ||
| Place of birth | Moletjie, South Africa | ||
| Height | 1.72 m (5 ft 8 in) | ||
| Position(s) | Striker, defender | ||
| Team information | |||
Current team | CP Cacereño Femenino | ||
| Number | 17 | ||
| Senior career* | |||
| Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
| Development Ladies | |||
| Brazilian Ladies | |||
| University of Johannesburg | |||
| Ma-Indies Ladies | |||
| 2021–2024 | Eibar | 40 | (0) |
| 2024- | CP Cacereño Femenino | ||
| International career‡ | |||
| 2006– | South Africa | 168 | (66) |
Medal record | |||
|
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, correct as of 15 May 2022 ‡ National team caps and goals, correct as of 20 July 2023 (prior the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup) | |||
In 2008, Matlou became the first South African to be named African Women's Footballer of the Year.
Club career
editAt a club level, she played for Ma-Indies Ladies. She has previously played for Development Ladies, Brazilian Ladies and the University of Johannesburg. Within footballing circles, she is nicknamed "Beep-Beep".[2]
In 2008, she became the first South African to be named African Women's Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football.[3]
CP Cacereño Femenino
editIn August 2024, she signed a 1-year contract with Primera Federación side CP Cacereño Femenino.[4]
International career
editMatlou made her debut for South Africa women's national football team ("Banyana Banyana") in December 2006.[5] In September 2009, Matlou was subjected to a gender "inspection" by a referee in the presence of the opposition captain, before South Africa's match against Ghana at Caledonian Stadium, Pretoria. She was allowed to play in the match after being confirmed as female.[6]
Matlou came to prominence within the national team by scoring six goals at the 2008 African Women's Championship.[5] She has been selected for the squads for a variety of tournaments, including at the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom.[2] In 2014, South Africa's coach Vera Pauw deployed Matlou—previously a striker, as a defender.[7]
Honours
editSouth Africa
Individual
References
edit- ^ "Athlete Information". Universiade 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ a b "Noko Alice "Beep-Beep" Matlou". Sasol in Sport. Archived from the original on 19 September 2017. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
- ^ a b "Noko Matlou makes history". KickOff. 11 February 2009. Archived from the original on 31 July 2018. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ "Banyana Banyana defender Noko Matlou finds a new home in Spain | soccer". SABC. 21 August 2024. Retrieved 21 August 2024.
- ^ a b Taele, Keabetswe (8 December 2008). "Banyana do SA proud". Independent Online (South Africa).
- ^ "Banyana dispute gender cheating claims". Sport24. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ Moholoa, Ramatsiyi (10 July 2014). "Matlou adapts to Banyana role in defence". The Sowetan. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
- ^ "Magaia brace hands South Africa first TotalEnergies WAFCON trophy". CAF. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.
External links
edit- Noko Matlou at BDFútbol
- Noko Matlou – FIFA competition record (archived)
- Noko Matlou on X
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