Noko Matlou

Noko Alice Matlou (born 30 September 1985) is a South African professional soccer player who plays as a defender for Spanish Primera Federación side SD Eibar. She has played for the South Africa women's national team both as a striker and a defender. In 2008, Matlou became the first South African to be named African Women's Footballer of the Year.

Noko Matlou
Personal information
Full name Noko Alice Matlou[1]
Date of birth (1985-09-30) 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
 Eibar
Number 17
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Development Ladies
Brazilian Ladies
University of Johannesburg
MaIndies
2021– Eibar 40 (0)
International career‡
2006– South Africa 168 (66)
Medal record
Representing  South Africa
Women's Africa Cup of Nations
Second place2008 Equatorial Guinea
Third place2010 South Africa
Second place2012 Equatorial Guinea
Second place2018 Ghana
First place2022 Morocco
*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)

Club career

At a club level, she plays for MaIndies. She has previously played for Development Ladies, Brazilian Ladies and the University of Johannesburg. Within footballing circles, she is nicknamed "Beep-Beep".[2] Matlou trains with male footballers to enhance her game: "I train regularly with local male clubs and when I get on to the field with the women they simply cannot touch me."[3]

In 2008, she became the first South African to be named African Women's Footballer of the Year by the Confederation of African Football.[4]

International career

Matlou 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

South Africa

Individual

References
  1. "Athlete Information". Universiade 2013. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  2. "Noko Alice "Beep-Beep" Matlou". Sasol in Sport. Retrieved 19 November 2016.
  3. Mohamed, Zaheda (9 January 2015). "Belle of the ball". Mail & Guardian. Retrieved 20 February 2009.
  4. "Noko Matlou makes history". KickOff. 11 February 2009. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  5. Taele, Keabetswe (8 December 2008). "Banyana do SA proud". Independent Online (South Africa).
  6. "Banyana dispute gender cheating claims". Sport24. 9 September 2008. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  7. Moholoa, Ramatsiyi (10 July 2014). "Matlou adapts to Banyana role in defence". The Sowetan. Retrieved 9 January 2015.
  8. "Magaia brace hands South Africa first TotalEnergies WAFCON trophy". CAF. 29 June 2023. Retrieved 6 August 2023.


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