Filda Bandas is carving a unique path for herself. Being the only left-footed player at the national level, she is one of the few female football players in South Sudan and makes the most of her abilities.
Opportunities are opening for women like Banda to take control of their lives and follow their passions as peace gradually returns to her hometown of Yei and the larger Western Equatoria region, which has seen years of conflict and countless losses of homes, livelihoods, and loved ones.
She told Africa News, “For my country, I want peace and love. I want my fellow girls to follow in my footsteps.”
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Together with her teammates from the Yei Joint Stars, Bandas is challenging cultural norms in her native country by participating in a sport that is dominated by men.
She recounted, “I told myself, if I practice with boys, I can be much stronger than others,” describing her determination to push boundaries in her sport.
Filda earns a living as a gas station attendant to support her child and extended family.
With a demanding job, a young family, and a football career, she is an inspiration to young women in Yei and beyond to see that everything is possible with desire and perseverance.
The trailblazer recently made an impression in an all-female football game hosted by the UN Mission in South Sudan, and she exhorts parents to encourage their daughters to play football despite cultural opposition.
