The University of the Western Cape (UWC) has become a breeding ground for top international women's football clubs, with three university players signing professional contracts abroad in one season.

UWC captain Amogaleng Motau is the latest footballer to bid farewell to the university team. She reportedly signed for an as-yet-unidentified Mexican team. She joins former UWC players Jermaine Seoposenwe, Sinoxolo Cesane and Thembi Kgatlana in the Liga MX Femenil, Mexico's highest women's football league.

Motau's move follows that of Noxolo Cesane, the twin sister of Sinoxolo, who joined the Saudi Women's Premier League club Eastern Flames in September, and former captain Bongeka Gamede, who signed with Danish side FC Nordsjælland in November.

UWC head coach Thinasonke Mbuli bade Motau farewell and told SABC Sport that UWC is clearly doing something right. "Amo is a leader, a hard worker, and she deserves what is coming her way. I wish her nothing but the best on her new journey. She gave us everything we needed, and I am not surprised this is happening to her," Mbuli told the public broadcaster.

"This is the third player to leave us and get a professional contract abroad in just one season, which makes me so emotional because it indicates we are doing something right. I am super proud of Amo."

Motau, who completed her BAdmin degree at UWC, has achieved a lot in football and showed leadership skills. After studying and playing for Oral Roberts University in the United States, she went on to captain both the U17 and U20 national teams, and was part of the Banyana Banyana team that won the WAFCON in 2022.

The Limpopo-born midfielder played her last match for UWC in their 2-0 defeat to 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies on December 8 last year. She also played a pivotal role in UWC's remarkable success in the 2024 season, helping the team secure second position on the league table, winning the CAF Women's Champions League COSAFA qualifiers, and becoming the first-ever university side to play in the CAF Women's Champions League proper.

"I told the players this week that football is very rewarding if you are patient. For example, Amo received an offer in Europe that we felt was not good enough, but a few days after we turned it down, this new one came and we knew it was right," Mbuli added.

*This article was first published by SABC Sport.