THE LOCAL & FLY

Women’s football has seen some awful days. However, people all over the world are finally accepting women’s football and are investing time in it. All the women who jumped enthusiastically onto the field in the past were badly kicked, both on the field and by the world who constantly turned their backs on them. But times changed and the support level changed as well. After seeing these African movies about women in football, there is more we can hope for.

‘Soccer City’

The 2010 Fifa world cup in South Africa, which was the first-ever in Africa, drew light into the lives of the residents of Alexandra. This docu-series was made shortly after the world cup. It was helmed by 5 Alexandra individuals whose lives were greatly touched by football.

In the series, they narrate the cultural importance of soccer in their neglected town. The young football prodigy Nancy Majola takes us through the football culture in Alexandra, along with 4 of her teammates. Nancy’s image as a footballer is one of a fighter, for a woman in a male-dominated sport. She did not stop until she landed a place in the women’s national team, Banyana Banyana.

‘Ladies’ Turn’

Women have always had as much determination in football as their male counterparts. Challenges and prejudices aren’t enough to stop them and this short film by Hélène Harder proves that. The route to creating and sustaining a women’s soccer tournament in Senegal is steep.

The non-profit organization who oversaw this documentary sees women’s football as a chance to fight gender inequality. Their job in this documentary was to give Senegalese women support in following their passion for football. The organization succeeded in getting the women to be seen. They got the chance to leave their local fields to play the tournament finals at the Pikine stadium.

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