South Africa goalkeeper Andile Dlamini stands on the precipice of a remarkable return to the Women’s World Cup after coming back from a career-threatening heart condition.
Two years ago, Dlamini’s career hung in the balance when a severe cardiac effusion, brought on by contracting Covid-19, threatened to shatter her dreams.
“It was a very painful experience,” the 30-year-old tells BBC Sport Africa.
“I thought I was losing my life. There was a time when I asked my mum: ‘Mama, just let me go – I am tired.’
“I didn’t think I would ever play football again and I don’t think the doctors thought I would ever play football again.”
Against all the odds, Dlamini returned to football after six months out – a full recovery she credits to doctors at her South African top-flight club, Mamelodi Sundowns, alongside her family and football.
“I think the doctors were shocked that I healed quicker than normal,” she reflects.
“But when you play for Mamelodi Sundowns, you have the best doctors and specialists. They saved my life.”
Dlamini found motivation during her recovery in the words of her mother and the Sundowns’ participation in the inaugural Women’s African Champions League in November 2021.
“At that point in time, it was my mum and her belief that I’d be OK – and thinking of the Champions League every day,” she says.
“It was the first Women’s African Champions League and I needed to be there. I needed to be back.”
The Sundowns did not concede a goal across their five matches as they won the tournament in Cairo.
When she was named player of the match following her side’s penalty shootout win over Hasaacas Ladies in the semi-finals, Dlamini dedicated the victory to her mother and reflected on how she had struggled to breathe, eat and drink months earlier.
“Music played a huge role in my recovery,” Dlamini says.
“There is a song called Ngicela Kukhanye, which is Zulu for Please Bring Me Brightness. That song healed me on its own.”
For Dlamini, who is also a singer, music is more than a pastime.
“Music is life,” she says. “It connects. It motivates. It heals. And what a way to mix sport and arts. For me, that is a perfect combination.
South Africa women’s football goalkeeper Andile Dlamini in a recording studio
The goalkeeper is also a musician who has released 10 songs and has a gospel single on the way
“My late grandmother used to be a pastor. We used to go to church every day and I used to listen to my uncles and everyone else sing at church. I fell in love with music that way.
“When I came to football, I was reminded that I had a great voice by my team-mates. I was so shy singing, and then they started making me sing the lead in songs.
“Imagine you’re sleeping and someone knocks in your room, and they go ‘come, let’s go and sing in the passage’. And they’re like ‘we want to hear your voice’. That on its own will motivate you.”
Dlamini’s passion for music and football have beautifully intertwined. She has released 10 songs but it is sport that takes centre stage in her life.
“They’re both my careers – but right now, football is dominating,” Dlamini explains.
“I have a signed contract that says you need to be on the pitch every day. I don’t have a contract with music.”
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