South Africa's Portia Modise ‘speechless’ to be in such company in the 100 goal club

Modise wants to empower South African women and encourage football growth

Legendary striker hopes World Cup debut will have big impact on football at home When Alex Morgan scored her 100th goal for USA last week against Australia, she joined an illustrious list of players to reach the milestone. Christine Sinclair, Abby Wambach and Birgit Prinz are all names on that list – as is South Africa’s record goalscorer and FIFA Legends Squad Member, Portia Modise. To score 100 goals for club or country is a magnificent achievement, but for Modise, who was one of three children raised by her disabled mother in Soweto, the challenges of trying to make it as a footballer make the feat all the more special. “My background made it very difficult to achieve what I have, but the coaches I had saw something in me and invested the time needed,” she said. “They were like a father figure, they made sure I went to school and that I was okay. I lived in a shack, I sacrificed a lot and I don’t want other young girls to experience what I did.” Those sacrifices may not have brought much financial reward for Modise, but her hard work and passion for the game would see her become one of Africa’s most successful players – even if it did not come with the recognition that it perhaps deserved.

After linking with Denmark’s Fortuna Hjorring, Modise represented her country at the London 2012 Olympics. It was there that she scored the goal of the tournament in a 4-1 defeat against Sweden with a strike from the halfway line. But it was in October 2014 that Modise’s name was up in lights, when she became the first African to score 100 international goals. She ultimately finished her career with 101 goals from 124 appearances. “I was in Namibia in 2014 at the African Cup of Nations and I remember I got a pass from a team-mate, took everyone on, but decided to pass rather than score. “For the love of god I got another opportunity where I was up against a defender and the goalkeeper. Thankfully, I managed to score and get my 100th goal, which was a brilliant moment. “I always say I am speechless to be amongst so many great players with 100 goals because my background is so different – I am so honoured.”

Great afternoon of engagement with @Banyana_Banyana fans and brilliant to see our FIFA Legends Squad Member Portia Modise and our own @SarBareman inspiring the next generation. #daretoshine #legendsassemble pic.twitter.com/37RM39KMrt — FIFA Women's World Cup 🇫🇷 (@FIFAWWC) April 7, 2019