Former Banyana Banyana assistant coach Shilene Booysen has followed Pitso Mosimane’s footsteps, taking up an offer in Egypt.
Mosimane made history when he won two back-to-back CAF Champions League titles. Booysen joins Wadi Degla, the 13-time Egyptian women’s football champion, as technical director. She signed a one-year contract with the option of extending it for another year.
“We have been talking since just after the World Cup,” Booysen said. “My agent deals with all of these contractual matters. There were several offers on the table, but this was a good fit.”
During the recent FIFA Women’s World Cup, Booysen’s most recent gig with Banyana was as technical advisor to Banyana’s coach, Desiree Ellis.
BOOYSEN ON FOLLOWING PITSO MOSIMANE’S FOOTSTEPS
She is the first South African female to land a job in North Africa. Booysen said Mosimane was her role model.
“Pitso is a significant role model for me, so why not follow his path?” Booysen said. “When you consider the rich heritage of Wadi Degla, it’s truly extraordinary. They boast millions of members across a spectrum of sports disciplines, surpassing the populations of some countries.”
OTHER SOCCER NEWS:Three PSL clubs chasing Wadi’s signature
Her appointment at Wadi Degla is a significant development for South African football. It shows that female South African coaches are increasingly recognised and respected worldwide. It also indicates that Egyptian clubs are willing to give South African coaches a chance even though they are not from Europe or South America.
Her experience with Banyana and the Sudan national team could have landed her the opportunity. The move could inspire other female coaches to follow in her footsteps and to pursue coaching careers abroad. It could also lead to more Banyana players being allowed to play in Egypt and other African countries.
It will be interesting to see how Shilene Booysen performs at Wadi Degla. She has a big challenge ahead of her, as the club is expected to compete for the league title and challenge for success in the Women’s CAF Champions League. However, Booysen is a proven coach, and she has the experience and the ability to succeed.