October 2026 will always be special for Tuks women’s football player Siyamthanda Qashani—and for good reason: it is the month she made her Banyana Banyana debut.
During that same month, she also scored two hat-tricks for Tuks in the Hollywoodbets Super League. More precisely, it should be noted that she scored one hat-trick. Against Stellenbosch FC, she netted four goals. With 10 goals to her name, she currently ranks among the top goalscorers in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
Her goal-scoring prowess may well be the reason she will not represent the Tuks women’s team at the USSA tournament next month. From 28 November to 5 December, Banyana Banyana will be participating in a FIFA Women’s World Cup Play-off Tournament in Rabat, Morocco. She could be selected for the Banyana Banyana squad again.
“To be playing for Banyana Banyana is special. I never thought it would happen at the age of 28,” said the BA Ed student.
What makes Qashani’s story remarkable is that she only began playing football seriously in 2019.
“Football has always been my great passion. As a young girl in the Eastern Cape, I used to play in the streets with the boys almost every day, but eventually, I had to stop. I only started playing again once I arrived in Gauteng. I hoped to play for another university in Gauteng, but they told me I wasn’t quite good enough and suggested I try Tuks instead. It turned out to be good advice.”
Qashani admits that there was a point when she seriously considered quitting the sport.
“Fortunately, people encouraged me to keep believing in my abilities and not to give up. I am glad I listened. Everything started to change when I scored hat-tricks for Tuks.
“Therefore, my advice to young players would be: don’t give up on your dreams. It doesn’t matter if you aren’t successful right away. Take your time. Be patient. Work on your shortcomings and fix what needs fixing. Change can happen in a short space of time. Ask me; I would know.”
What do you love about soccer?
“Soccer is actually such a cool sport, as you get to use your mind. Everything you do relates to life. How you control your emotions, how you commit yourself. All in all, playing soccer is about discipline.”
Online, Qashani is described as a legend in the making. The Tuks player laughs, a bit shyly, when this is mentioned. She responds, “I just try to give my best every time I play.”
Regarding her goal-scoring prowess, she says, “Being a striker is about being at the right place at the right time. If I am in front of the posts, I don’t have a choice. I have to score the goal.”
