Double trouble with Cesane twins

By Mandla and Andile Dladla

Sinoxolo Cesane joins a long list of South African women that are successfully combining their football with academic pursuits.

A hard running midfielder at home as a defensive midfielder, Cesane has just enrolled at the East Tennessee University (ETSU) in the United States of America where she also plays for the Chattanooga Lady Red Wolves.

She is blessed with an exceptional ability to control the ball and has a sweet left foot that she uses to perfection when it comes to delivering passes. Cesane is not afraid to take on opposition players and this enables her to open up spaces for her colleagues.

Naturally the bar has been set by previous Banyana Banyana stars notably Rhoda Mulaudzi who has acquired a diploma in sports management and a bachelor of technology degree in business management, both obtained from the Vaal University of Technology.

Then of course, she draws inspiration from former Banyana Banyana left full-back and current Bantwana (National U-17) coach Simphiwe Dludlu, has also attained a bachelor degree in sports Science in addition to numerous Coaching licenses.

Current Banyana and AC Milan holding midfielder Refiloe Jane has a BTech in sport management and has just completed her masters. Leandra Smeda has a degree in Food Technology while Thembi Kgatlana has attained a degree in Tourism.

Clearly the above mentioned Banyana Banyana stars have played a key role in encouraging and influencing the former Western Cape midfielder to seriously consider excellence academia while also pursuing a career in football.

Cesane, a twin sister to Noxolo who is also a footballer and has already represented South Africa at the COSAFA U-20 tournament, said she would give any aspiring football the advice to pursue academic excellence abroad.

“Personally that’s the advice I would give to any young athlete to always look at the bigger picture when an opportunity to ply your trade abroad avails itself,” said Cesane.

“And you should not just be satisfied about playing abroad, but to push and work harder in order to make it in the professional level. But above all, to always stay grounded and focussed on concentrating on your studies as well.

“Now that I have secured a scholarship abroad, my full concentration would be to complete my studies and graduate, then I would know that should my football career be curtailed through circumstances beyond my control, I have an educational background to fall back on.”

Sino as she is known within football circles, is not just a skilful footballer but an excellent artist that spends hours in her free time sketching and drawing landscapes, animals and people during her spare time.

Her favourite art form is drawing cartoons which she describes as a way of keeping calm from the many challenges and distractions that comes with being a student athlete.

“It is a privilege for me to have had the opportunity to partake in different sporting activities growing up with my twin sister,” said Cesane.

“Sports has always been a part of our lives even though I’m the more introverted one and enjoys being indoor while my sister is more energetic and is extroverted.”