23 October 2024 – Isabella Alexa Ludwig is happy to see her hard work finally paying off after winning the player of the match during COSAFA Banyana Banyana’s opening match of the regional tournament at the Nelson Mandela Bay Stadium in Gqeberha on Tuesday evening.
Coach Maud Khumalo’s charges beat Namibia 1-0 courtesy of a late goal from Tshegofatso Motlogelwa and the 22-year-old Ludwig provided the assist, delivering an impressive performance from midfield.
Ludwig started her football journey at the young age of nine years old after she stopped playing hockey and was desperate for anything that resembled sport, football found her.
“It started when I was around nine or 10. I changed schools to where they did not offer hockey, so the next best thing was football, and I started playing with the boys and developed a passion for it very fast.”
The midfielder said there are challenges in any career and she had to overcome a few during her journey.
“Definitely, there are obviously challenges within your set career path or anything you’re passionate about. It was not an easy road, but I think setbacks ultimately make you stronger. Injuries come and go as well, so they never help. I have had a lot of ankle injuries and I have had a lot of setbacks with them, but so far so good.”
The TUKS player said her ambition was always to don the South African senior women’s national team shirt and she has worked very hard to achieve her goal. She also reminisced about the day she received her call-up to Banyana Banyana and her reaction after it had all sunk in.
“I think it was just hard work to be honest, it was obviously always my goal (to play for Banyana Banyana) but the only way you can get there is by putting in the work within the season in the Hollywoodbets Super League. So yeah, I’ve just been working hard, putting in the work and trying to get as much recognition and exposure as possible, which I think I was able to do. Now we are here.
“I was very, very happy (when she received the call-up), I felt like I was finally being seen or was being recognized for my hard work, so it was a very nice feeling”.
Ludwig said she is able to balance being a business owner and a BCom Accounting student with her passion for football.
“There’s a lot that goes on all at once. But I think it keeps me busy, keeps me top of my mind, constantly working and stuff, which works well with who I am, so it’s fine, I am managing”.
