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When Percy Tau got the man of the match award after Bafana Bafana’s win over Namibia on Friday, it was also a night to remember for South African superfan Dinah “Lady D” Matli.
The mother of four from Seshego in Limpopo was voted CAF fan of the match after the game that was decided by a Bongani Zungu goal at Al Salam Stadium.
“The selectors said they were following me and they were impressed by how I sing and scream almost nonstop during the game,” said Matli.
“Bafana won and I won. So I’m happy.”
She is one of four locally famous fans who made it to the Afcon in Egypt.
The Orlando Pirates faithful is in the company of Botha Msila of Bloemfontein Celtic, and the Kaizer Chiefs duo of Machaka Masilo and Saddam Maake.
Matli was awarded a special trophy by the tournament’s sponsors.
“I am dedicating the award to my fellow South African fans who wanted to be here,” said Matli, who saved up R35 000 to pay for her trip to the 24-nation tournament.
She has taken leave from her managerial job in the provincial community services department in Polokwane.
While CAF has come up with the fan of the match incentive to woo fans to matches, most of the games have failed to attract decent crowds since the tournament started last week.
Only the fixtures involving north African sides such as Morocco, Tunisia and Algeria have attracted substantial support, as have Egypt’s games at Cairo International Stadium.
Matli has attended 12 matches so far, including South Africa’s, since her arrival in Cairo last Saturday.
She will be in the stands for the Zimbabwe versus the Democratic Republic of Congo final group fixture at the 30 June Stadium in Cairo on Sunday and, of course, at Bafana’s crucial tie against Morocco on Monday.
