Banyana Banyana's Antonia Maponya balances naval career with World Cup ambitions

Antonia Maponya, a full-time employee at the South African Navy, juggles her professional career with her passion for semi-professional football. Her day typically starts with a 7am to 4pm shift at the Navy, followed by training sessions with her club, UWC, at 4:30pm. Despite her demanding schedule, Maponya has managed to balance her roles effectively, all thanks to the unwavering support of her family, friends, colleagues, and teammates.

Chief of the SA Navy, Vice Admiral Monde Lobese, has lauded Maponya for her dedication, describing her as an exemplary figure of how young women and girls can serve, lead, and excel at the highest level. During Women's Month, Maponya's achievements serve as a powerful example of what can be achieved through hard work and perseverance.

Maponya's journey hasn't been without challenges. She took a break from football during her Navy training in 2022 but has since returned, now relishing the challenging lifestyle she has chosen for herself. She believes that this lifestyle is what she wants for herself and that she is happy with the life she has built. Her job at the Navy, particularly her HR role, offers her flexibility across the country, making it easier for her to balance her professional and football commitments.

Despite the disappointment of missing out on direct World Cup qualification, Maponya and her teammates are determined to secure a spot in the intercontinental play-offs. They are focusing on their mistakes from previous matches and emphasizing the positives to improve their performance in Thursday's game against Nigeria at the Moulay Rachid Stadium in Casablanca. Maponya believes that this challenging lifestyle is what she wants for herself, and she is prepared to keep challenging herself forever.