GLAMOUR: Did you face any resistance breaking into a male-dominated space like sports media? How did you overcome it?

Nozibusiso Sibiya: Yes, a lot. Firstly, you need to understand that when I tell people I love football, they always ask me to name 500 players - because what do you mean you love football as a woman. Secondly, going to press conferences people actually don’t really believe that as woman we understand the sport. I also get a lot of comments from men saying they would want to sit with me one day and quiz me on my football knowledge. For example, people on Twitter called me stupid for asking Bayern Munich coach, Vincent Kompany about Bafana Bafana player Percy Tau at a Bayern presser. I saw him in Germany on Saturday and he asked me how Percy was. So these things really do not affect me anymore because my mother knows football more than any man I know, and my therapist actually really helps me just focus on myself.

GLAMOUR: You’ve covered events around the world , what’s been your most unforgettable assignment so far?

Nozibusiso Sibiya: All of them, but definitely doing my first TV pitch side reporting this week at the Bayern Munich vs Dortmund game. It was everything I have been dreaming about, standing in front of the camera, in Europe, talking confidently about a sport that I love, that was life changing.

GLAMOUR: How do you mentally and physically prepare to be on the road so often?

Nozibusiso Sibiya: I always spend quality time with my three-year-old daughter before travelling so it’s a bit easier for her when I go. I then make sure that I have some kind of budget to spend to explore the city or country that I’m visiting. The packing is always last minute, something that I’m trying to change. I always reach out to brands who are interested in dressing me or to partner in any way.

GLAMOUR: What do you think is currently missing in how local schools approach sports development?

Nozibusiso Growing up, I took part in athletics and cricket at my village primary school, we had many sports programs back then. But now, the government isn’t exactly funding schools these programs and local companies don’t really sponsor village or township schools. Sports made me the person that I am today, even though I wasn’t really good at it. It taught me a lot about time management, team work and also built self confidence. I wish more private companies could invest in underprivileged schools so children can play more sports.