Andile Dlamini

Andile Dlamini is a South African professional footballer who plays as a goalkeeper for Mamelodi Sundowns and the South Africa women's national team, Banyana Banyana. Known by her nickname Sticks, she is widely regarded as one of Africa's finest goalkeepers, with a career that includes three Women's Africa Cup of Nations titles and a CAF Women's Champions League triumph. As of 2026, she continues to guard the net for Sundowns and remains a key figure for the national team.

Off the pitch, Dlamini is also a singer, blending her love for music with her football career. Her consistency and reliability between the posts have made her a role model for young girls in township communities across South Africa. She is married to Lulama Mokuni, and her Christian faith is a central part of her life, often reading the Bible before matches. [edit]

Andile Dlamini was born on 2 September 1992 in Thembisa, a township in Johannesburg, South Africa. Growing up in Thembisa, she developed a passion for football at a young age, playing in the dusty streets and local pitches. Her talent as a goalkeeper quickly became evident, and she joined the local club Phomolong Ladies, where she honed her skills until 2010.

Her performances for Phomolong Ladies caught the attention of scouts, and in 2010 she made the leap to senior football with Mamelodi Sundowns. That move marked the beginning of a remarkable journey from township football to continental prominence. In interviews, Dlamini has spoken warmly about the growth of women's football in South Africa, noting that increased sponsorship and visibility have opened doors for players from disadvantaged areas. Her own story is a testament to that progress, as she rose from humble beginnings to become a national hero. [edit]

Andile Dlamini made her international debut for South Africa in 2011, and over the next decade she became a mainstay in goal for Banyana Banyana. She was part of the squad that won the Women's Africa Cup of Nations in 2012 in Equatorial Guinea, and again in 2018 in Ghana. In 2022, she helped South Africa secure a third continental title in Morocco, earning the Goalkeeper of the Tournament award for her outstanding performances.

At club level, Dlamini has spent her entire senior career with Mamelodi Sundowns, winning three consecutive SAFA Women's League titles and the CAF Women's Champions League. Her heroics in the Champions League earned her a spot in the tournament's best eleven. In 2023, she represented South Africa at the FIFA Women's World Cup, where she played a key role in the team's historic run to the knockout stages. That same year, she won the Momentum Athlete of the Year at the gsport Awards, cementing her status as one of the country's top athletes. [edit]

Andile Dlamini is celebrated in South African media as one of Africa's best goalkeepers and a role model for young girls in township communities. Her style is defined by consistency and reliability between the posts, earning her the nickname Sticks. She is known for her dual identity as a footballer and singer, and her Christian faith is a notable part of her public persona. Her social media voice blends football content, faith-based messaging, and personal reflections, giving fans a glimpse into her life beyond the pitch. While she does not have an official fandom name, her supporters are passionate and vocal, cheering her on at every match. [edit]

Andile Dlamini commands a following defined less by celebrity worship and more by deep, tactical appreciation from fans who have watched her stand between the posts for Mamelodi Sundowns and Banyana Banyana for years. Her supporters are primarily organized around team loyalty rather than a personal fan club structure, with no formal fandom name documented in available records. While she shares her life through social media blending faith and football, her audience engages with her as an elite athlete whose legendary status stems from specific high-pressure moments on the pitch rather than viral entertainment stunts or chart-topping music releases. The lore surrounding her includes the widely retold story of her penalty saves during the 2025 WAFCON semifinals against Nigeria, where she displayed composure described as having ice in her veins, and the contrast drawn by teammates regarding her steady demeanor versus others' nerves during championship runs. These athletic feats form the core of her cultural mythology among South African sports enthusiasts. Despite her prominence as a role model and a dual-identity figure in football and music, she does not currently hold a placement in the published iFANN Global Top 1,000 rankings or any Top-100 scope list. The iFANN Global Fame Engine has evaluated this person, but they do not currently hold a placement in the published rankings.[edit]

Andile Dlamini is also a talented singer, and during the 2024 WAFCON, fans and media alike wondered if she had the best voice at the tournament. She reads the Bible before every match, a ritual that helps her stay focused and grounded. Her nickname Sticks comes from her slender frame, but it also reflects her ability to make crucial saves stick. Dlamini has worn the number 1 shirt for Sundowns, though she has occasionally donned number 32. She was named in the provisional World Cup squad just four days after an interview where she expressed uncertainty about her selection due to an ankle sprain, a reflection of her resilience. A defining moment in her legend occurred during the 2025 Women's Africa Cup of Nations semifinals against Nigeria, where she saved two penalties to secure a victory that sent her national team to the semis. This performance cemented her reputation for having ice in her veins when it mattered most. Additionally, former teammate Janine van Wyk often recalls the tension of the 2022 WAFCON glory run, noting how Dlamini remained the calm presence in goal while Van Wyk admitted to being a nervous wreck on the bench. As of August 2026, she continues to be credited with keeping South Africa's World Cup hopes alive after recent victories over Nigeria.[edit]

Andile Dlamini was born in Thembisa, Johannesburg, and was particularly close to her stepfather, Rhodes Hattingh, who passed away in 2025. She is a Christian and has spoken about how her faith guides her both on and off the pitch. In December 2025, she married Lulama Mokuni, a private ceremony that marked a new chapter in her life. Details about her parents and siblings are not widely publicized, as she tends to keep her family life out of the spotlight. [edit]

Andile Dlamini has worked closely with South Africa head coach Desiree Ellis, who has guided Banyana Banyana to continental success. At Mamelodi Sundowns, she shares the pitch with teammate Tiisetso Makhubela, with whom she has done COSAFA match reactions. Her stepfather, Rhodes Hattingh, and her spouse, Lulama Mokuni, are also important figures in her life. [edit]

Andile Dlamini has kept her romantic life largely private, with only one confirmed relationship publicly known. On 20 December 2025, she married Lulama Mokuni. The couple's wedding took place in a private ceremony, and details about how they met or their life together are not widely shared. As of 2026, Dlamini is married to Mokuni, and the two continue to build their life together. [edit]

Per iFANN's editorial analysis, Andile Dlamini's net worth in 2026 is estimated at $1 Million, though precise figures remain outside public disclosure. Her primary income stream flows from her professional contract with Mamelodi Sundowns in the SAFA Women's League, which has secured sponsorship support from Hollywoodbets. Serving as a key player for the national team, she also collects match fees and bonuses from major tournaments like the Women's Africa Cup of Nations and the FIFA Women's World Cup. Endorsement deals, including associations with brands like Hollywoodbets, further supplement her earnings. While women's football salaries in South Africa remain modest compared to their male counterparts, Dlamini's success and visibility have positioned her as one of the sport's prominent figures in the region.[edit]

Andile Dlamini has won three Women's Africa Cup of Nations titles with South Africa (2012, 2018, 2022) and was named Goalkeeper of the Tournament at the 2022 edition. With Mamelodi Sundowns, she claimed the CAF Women's Champions League and three consecutive league titles. Individually, she received the Momentum Athlete of the Year at the 2023 gsport Awards and the Ubuntu-Botho Feather Awards Sports Personality of the Year. [edit]