Amanda Dlamini Makes History as First Female Commentator at Africa Cup of Nations

Amanda Dlamini, former captain of the South African Women’s National Team, achieved a historic milestone on January 17, 2024, by becoming the first woman to commentate on a football match at the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations competition. Dlamini’s commentary debut took place during the match between Morocco and Tanzania at the Stade Laurent Pokou in San Pedro, marking the official opening rounds of fixtures in Group F.

Amanda Dlamini boasts an impressive football career, having participated in two TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations competitions, where her team finished third in 2010 and second in 2012. She is also one of the few footballers, both in the men’s and women’s national teams, to earn over 100 caps, retiring with 105 caps to her name.

Expressing her emotions about the historic moment, Dlamini said, “I knew it was the biggest day of my life to do a Men’s CAF Africa Cup of Nations. When I was told I would be commentating at AFCON, I was very overwhelmed but had to try to keep calm. I didn’t want it to get to my head because of how emotional the feeling was. I’m hoping this historic moment opens more doors for many other women to believe in their abilities and talents.”

Dlamini’s journey to the commentary box is a testament to her love for football. She grew up watching the TotalEnergies CAF Africa Cup of Nations on television in her rural village in KwaZulu Natal, South Africa. She fondly remembers the intense moments of the tournament, such as her mother accidentally burning their traditional staple meal (uphuthu) twice when South Africa won in 1996. Her father would celebrate victories by tossing her in the air after the final whistle.

Amanda Dlamini is not new to the world of commentary. Following her retirement, she transitioned into a role as an analyst on SuperSport, covering local and CAF Inter-Club matches. In 2022, she joined the team of CAF Analysts for the TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations 2022 in Morocco.

In her commentary style, Dlamini enjoys delving into the backstories of teams, their objectives, coaches’ thoughts, and preparations. She also analyses starting line-ups, formations, and provides individual stats on players from across the world. Dlamini’s thorough approach to commentary reflects her passion for tactics, formations, and the behaviour of players as they execute game plans. She aspires to further advance her career in football analysis and commentary.

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Source: CAF