Nothando Vilakazi

Nothando Vilakazi
Vilakazi at the 2016 Olympics
Personal information
Date of birth (1988-10-28) 28 October 1988
Place of birth Middelburg, South Africa
Height 160 cm (5 ft 3 in)
Playing position Defender
Club information
Current team
 Palace Super Falcons
Senior career*
Years Team Apps (Gls)
Moroka Swallows
Palace Super Falcons
National team
2007– South Africa 96 (6)
* Senior club appearances and goals counted for the domestic league only and correct as of 15 September 2016

Nothando "Vivo" Vilakazi (born 28 October 1988) is a South African association footballer who plays as a defender. At a club level, she plays for Palace Super Falcons. She represented the South Africa women's national football team, including playing at both the at the 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics.

Early life

Nothando Vilakazi was born in Middelburg, South Africa, on 28 October 1988.[1]

Career

Vilakazi plays for Palace Super Falcons, having previously played for Moroka Swallows. In footballing circles, she is nicknamed "Vivo".[2]

International

She made her international debut for the South Africa women's national football team against Ghana in 2007.[2] Vilakazi has been a regular feature of the team as they were managed by Vera Pauw.[3] Vilakazi was part of the team which were runners up in the 2012 African Women's Championship.[2]

As part of the South African team, she has played at both the 2012 Summer Olympics in London, United Kingdom, and the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.[4][5] She played in all six of South Africa's games at the 2016 tournament.[2] Vilakazi has continued to feature in the squads for the nation following the transition to the management of Desire Ellis after the Olympics.[6]

Personal

Vilakazi was targeted by internet trolls following the match against Brazil in the 2016 Summer Olympics. When she lined in a defensive wall against a direct free kick, she cupped her hands over groin; this was suggested as being "suspicious" as it was a move more typically conducted by male players. Claims made against Vilakazi were subsequently picked up by tabloid media.[7][4]

References

  1. ↑ "Nothando Vilakazi". Sports Reference. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  2. 1 2 3 4 "Nothando "Vivo" Vilakazi". Sasol in Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  3. ↑ Ngid, Njabuto (28 July 2016). "She dreamt it, she's living it". IOL. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  4. 1 2 Blott, Unity (12 August 2016). "'That ain't no woman!': South African female footballer is targeted by cruel trolls on social media after appearing to cup her crotch in the Olympics". Daily Mail. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  5. ↑ Isaacson, David (5 August 2016). "Banyana Banyana keep hope alive after Games opener loss". Herald Live. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  6. ↑ "Desire Ellis opens up after first training session as Banyana Banyana head coach". KickOff. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
  7. ↑ Nathan, Fred (11 August 2016). "IS THAT NECESSARY? Rio Olympics 2016: Why is this FEMALE South African footballer protecting her private parts at the Olympics?". The Sun. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
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