Nothando Vilakazi
Personal information | |||
---|---|---|---|
Date of birth | 28 October 1988 | ||
Place of birth | Middelburg, South Africa | ||
Height | 1.60 m (5 ft 3 in) | ||
Position(s) | Defender | ||
Team information | |||
Current team | Palace Super Falcons | ||
Senior career* | |||
Years | Team | Apps | (Gls) |
Moroka Swallows | |||
Palace Super Falcons | |||
International career | |||
2007– | South Africa | 131 | (7) |
*Club domestic league appearances and goals, 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.[4][7]
References
- ^ "Nothando Vilakazi". Sports Reference. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ a b c d "Nothando "Vivo" Vilakazi". Sasol in Sport. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ Ngid, Njabuto (28 July 2016). "She dreamt it, she's living it". IOL. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ a b 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.
- ^ Isaacson, David (5 August 2016). "Banyana Banyana keep hope alive after Games opener loss". Herald Live. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ "Desire Ellis opens up after first training session as Banyana Banyana head coach". KickOff. 18 October 2016. Retrieved 18 November 2016.
- ^ 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.
External links
- Living people
- 1988 births
- Women's association football defenders
- South African women's soccer players
- South Africa women's international soccer players
- Footballers at the 2012 Summer Olympics
- Footballers at the 2016 Summer Olympics
- Olympic soccer players of South Africa
- FIFA Century Club
- 2019 FIFA Women's World Cup players
- South African women's soccer biography stubs