Tweespruit-born Dieketseng Makabane is proving that passion, resilience, and community spirit can change lives. Once a rising star on the football field, Makabane’s journey from player to coach has now made her a beacon of hope for young people in her hometown.
Her love for sport began early. At just six years old, she was already active in athletics. By the age of 15, she joined Kodisang Ladies F.C., and soon after played for K.F.C. Her talent quickly shone through: at 17 she was selected for the provincial squad, and in 2018, at just 19, she proudly represented South Africa in the U20 National Team (Banyana Banyana).
But her playing career was cut short by injury. Rather than give up, Makabane chose a new path. She pursued coaching, earning a CAF D License and C Diploma, and began training boys and girls across different age groups, from U13 to U20.
“I wanted to take them off the streets and give them opportunities through grassroots soccer,” she explains.
After finishing school in 2019, Makabane moved to the Western Cape to play for Ikamva F.C., where she stayed until 2023. Returning home to Tweespruit, she was struck by the lack of football activity in the area. Determined to change that, she began organizing games and tournaments in nearby communities such as Thaba Nchu, Patswa, and Hobhouse.
Today, Makabane coaches the girls of Unicom High School, who are currently second in the Regional Women’s League. She has also launched her own teams, including Juventus le Kasi F.C., which competes in the Promotional League.
Despite working without an assistant, she has built platforms where young players can showcase their skills and chase their dreams.
Beyond coaching, Makabane also serves as a scout for the Free State, identifying promising talent and linking them to bigger clubs. Her mission is clear: to open doors for others that injury once closed for her.
However, her work has not been without challenges. Running teams, organizing tournaments, and supporting players often comes out of her own pocket. She stresses that with proper assistance and sponsorship, many more young people in Tweespruit could reach professional levels.
“I may not have reached all my goals as a player,” she says, “but I want to make sure that the youth in our community go further than I did. Football can change lives, and I want to help them create better futures for themselves and their families. With the right support, we can take our children from local dusty fields to the national stage and beyond.”
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