Bongeka Gamede Explained

Bongeka Gamede
Fullname:Bongeka S'mangele Gamede
Birth Date:1999 5, df=y
Birth Place:Ixopo, South Africa
Height:1.59m[1]
Position:Defender
Currentclub:FC Nordsjælland
Clubnumber:4
Collegeyears1:2017-2024
College1:University of the Western Cape
Years1:2024-
Clubs1:FC Nordsjælland
Nationalteam1:South Africa U17
Nationalteam2:South Africa U20
Nationalyears3:2019–
Nationalteam3:South Africa
Nationalcaps3:30
Nationalgoals3:0
Ntupdate:20 July 2023 (prior the 2023 FIFA Women's World Cup)

Bongeka S'mangele Gamede (born 22 May 1999) is a South African soccer player who plays as a defender for Elitedivisionen club FC Nordsjælland and the South Africa women's national team.

She was part of the national team when they won their maiden continental title at the 2022 Women's Africa Cup of Nations.

Gamede was part of the University of the Western Cape team when they became the first university to win the COSAFA Women's Champions League and qualify for the CAF Women's Champions League. She was tied for top goal scorer at the tournament and made it to the Group Stage Best XI as well as the overall Best XI.[2] [3]

Personal life

Gamede's home town is Ixopo in KwaZulu-Natal.[4] In 2024 she graduated from the University of the Western Cape with a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism.[5]

College career

University of Western Cape

Gamede played for the university while undergoing her studies in Tourism.

In 2023 she was named 2023 Sportswoman of the Year Winner at the university.[6]

She scored 3 goals in the 2024 COSAFA Women's Champions League to help the side win their maiden title and qualify for the CAF Women's Champions League.[7] She named in the 2024 COSAFA Women's Champions League Best XI.[8]

Club career

FC Nordsjælland

She signed for Elitedivisionen club FC Nordsjælland in 2024.[9]

International career

A former South African under-17 and under-20 international, she was included in the South African squad for the 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup despite having never previously represented the national team at senior level. A tourism student at the University of the Western Cape, she had to postpone her first year exams to appear at the tournament.[10] She made her international debut in a pre-World Cup friendly against Norway on 2 June 2019, coming on as a substitute in South Africa's 7–2 defeat.[11]

Honours

Individual

Notes and References

  1. Web site: Bongeka Gamede Profile . Footballcritic . 1 . 11 May 2023 . 11 May 2023.
  2. Web site: Kganyago . Lethabo . 2024-08-21 . UWC Dominate CAF WCL COSAFA Qualifiers Team . 2024-09-20 . iDiski Times . en-US.
  3. Web site: University of Western Cape wins COSAFA CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 Zonal Qualifier . 2024-09-20 . University of Western Cape wins COSAFA CAF Women’s Champions League 2024 Zonal Qualifier . en-GB.
  4. News: Ndebele . Sihle . 31 May 2019 . I'm ready for World Cup action - rookie Bongeka Gamede . Sowetan Live . 3 June 2019.
  5. Web site: webportal@uwc.ac.za . Leading UWC's Women's Football Team to Success, On and Off the Field . 2024-10-30 . www.uwc.ac.za . en.
  6. Web site: LOOK: Banyana Banyana aces win big at UWC awards . 2023-12-21 . www.dailyvoice.co.za . en.
  7. Web site: Pillay . Alicia . 2024-08-25 . History Made as UWC Join Mamelodi Sundowns in CAF Women’s Champions League . 2024-09-20 . gsport4girls . en-ZA.
  8. Web site: 2024-08-22 . Bongeka Gamede lauds UWC players recognition from COSAFA soccer . 2024-10-30 . SABC . en.
  9. Web site: 2024-11-08 . Bongeka Gamede over the moon about Denmark move soccer . 2024-11-11 . SABC . en.
  10. News: South Africa's Bongeka Gamede has no regrets about putting exams on hold for Women's World Cup . Samuel . Ahmadu . Goal.com . 30 May 2019 . 23 July 2024.
  11. News: Norway crash Banyana in final World Cup warm-up . 3 June 2019 . SuperSport . 3 June 2019.
  12. Web site: 29 June 2023 . Magaia brace hands South Africa first TotalEnergies WAFCON trophy . 6 August 2023 . CAF .