Potso Aphane’s journey in football is a story of passion, perseverance, and purpose. From her days as a varsity soccer player at the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to becoming a prominent voice in the women’s football community, she has continually pushed boundaries, using her platform, Basadi in Action, to champion women in sports. Potso’s story is one of resilience, and it’s a testament to the power of dedication to change the narrative for women in football.

Potso’s love for sports began early, with a diverse interest in various athletic pursuits. “I grew up playing different sports at school, but I think I enjoyed football a little more than the others,” she reflects. Football stood out to her because of its competitive nature and the intensity of the training sessions. This passion led her to apply for a football scholarship at UJ, an opportunity that would shape the next chapter of her life. “I got a scholarship to study at the University of Johannesburg in football. Bear in mind that in high school I was active in athletics, touch rugby, and football,” she recalls. “I went for trials after filling in the UJ football scholarship forms, and I was selected and got the scholarship.”

Despite her love for the game, Potso made the difficult decision to step away from playing football professionally. “Stopping playing football wasn’t the best decision I made, but I guess it was a blessing in disguise,” she admits. As the firstborn in her family, she felt a responsibility to ensure that her education and career choices would honor the sacrifices her family made for her. “I had to give up my career as a football player at an early age. It felt like I was not returning the favour to my family for supporting me and putting me through school,” Potso shares. This decision, however, ignited a new passion: ensuring that other young girls wouldn’t face the same challenges she did.

Although she left the field as a player, Potso’s commitment to the sport didn’t waver. She turned to media, determined to create opportunities for the next generation of female athletes. “I dedicated myself and told myself that I don’t want to see the next girl give up their playing career because of situations or circumstances they are faced with,” she explains. Through Basadi in Action, she sought to be a bridge between aspiring athletes and opportunities, offering a platform where women’s football is seen and celebrated.

Her transition from player to advocate was not without its challenges. “The biggest challenge was not knowing exactly what to do, where to start, and who to start with,” Potso admits. Yet, her resilience and willingness to learn propelled her forward. She began building relationships with people in the industry, gathering the information and support needed to amplify the voices of female athletes.

Basadi in Action was born out of a need to make space for women in football—a space where they could be visible and where their talents could be recognised. “I created Basadi in Action so that I could become a platform to profile athletes that are doing exceptionally well,” Potso says. Her vision is clear: “It’s a space where women can exist, they can be seen, and opportunities can find them.”