Three leading national women’s soccer team players are about to be snapped up by top United States women’s soccer team, FC Indiana, rated by FIFA as the world’s fourth-best women’s professional football club.
In an exclusive interview with gsport, sports agent, Fola Dokunmu, director of Sports Midfield Agency, revealed how he convinced FC Indiana to sign left back Lena Mosebo, defender Rose Jijane, and striker Veronica Phewa.
“I approached the club, discussed a few terms, sent their profiles, and they liked the profiles. Luckily all the girls are national team players. Rose and Lena- they’ve seen their games, and they are very sure they want them.
“They go to the club in February – it’s not exactly trials, but they would want to see them play with the new team. If they’re sure it’s what they want and they fit into the team, then they will sign them.
“The contracts have not been signed yet, just like when I sent Portia Modise to Denmark, same procedure. They just need to see them, and if they are sure that’s what they want, then they will sign them.
“Veronica Phewa is going on trials because there are internationals from other countries that they are going to look at in that position. She is a striker, so I think they are going to try out 3-4 other strikers.
“The other two players (Mosebo and Jijane), they are definitely going to sign them. The other agreement I made with the club is that they would place her in a sisterly club or the reserve team, instead of sending her home (if they are not signed by Indiana FC).”
Currently, national captain, Portia Modise, is the only professional soccer player in the Banyana Banyana team, and Dokunmu believes this latest development can only benefit women’s soccer in South Africa.
“It’s very big. Its means a lot since Portia Modise is the only professional player we have in the country. Three other extra professional players will go a long way towards building the team and raising the standard.
“If you look at Nigeria, they have a lot of professional international players in their squad and I think that’s why they have maintained first place for such a long time in Africa. If we have half the South Africa national team playing in Europe or in the West then the standard will be very high.”
When contacted by gsport, Jijane thanked her agent (Fola Dokunmu) and said she was really happy to be heading off to the US.
“Oh, I’ve been waiting for this opportunity for a long time! I can’t wait to go there, and make my mark. I’m working extra-hard, I’m working on speed, because in America, you know, they use a lot of speed.”
Phewa told gsport: “Yes I am very happy cos it’s my second time to go play overseas. I’m so happy, because here in South Africa, there is no professional league. So to get an opportunity to play overseas is like gold for me.”
gsport’s October 2007 gSTAR, Mosebo had spent a spent a few weeks on trial at Sky Blue Football Club in Atlanta last June, and she was keen to follow in her hero, Portia Modise’s footsteps and secure an international contract.
She told gsport: “I am so happy, so excited, because it’s the second time I’m going to the US. At least I will experience something from outside the country. It will be good for me. My family are so happy and they are supporting me all the way.”
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
