Bongeka Gamede


Bongeka S'mangele Gamede is a South African soccer player who plays as a defender for Elitedivisionen club FC Nordsjælland and the South Africa women's national team.
She was part of the national team when they won their maiden continental title at the 2022 Women's [Africa Cup of Nations].
Gamede was part of the University of the [Western Cape Women's F.C.|University of the Western Cape] team when they became the first university to win the COSAFA Women's Champions League and qualify for the CAF Women's Champions League. She was tied for top goal scorer at the 2024 [CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers|tournament] and made it to the Group Stage Best XI as well as the overall Best XI.

Personal life

Gamede's home town is Ixopo in KwaZulu-Natal. In 2024 she graduated from the University of the Western Cape with a Bachelor of Arts in Tourism.

College career

University of Western Cape

Gamede played for the university while undergoing her studies in Tourism.
In 2023 she was named 2023 Sportswoman of the Year Winner at the university.
She scored 3 goals in the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers|2024 COSAFA Women's Champions League] to help the side win their maiden title and qualify for the CAF Women's Champions League. She named in the 2024 CAF [Women's Champions League COSAFA Qualifiers|2024 COSAFA Women's Champions League] Best XI.

Club career

FC Nordsjælland

She signed for Elitedivisionen club FC Nordsjælland in 2024.

International career

A former South African under-17 football team|under-17] and under-20 football team|under-20] international, she was included in the South African squad for the 2019 FIFA [Women's World Cup] despite having never previously represented the national team at senior level. A tourism student at the University of the Western Cape, she had to postpone her first year exams to appear at the tournament. She made her international debut in a pre-World Cup friendly against Norway on 2 June 2019, coming on as a substitute in South Africa's 7–2 defeat.

Honours

Individual