Coaching on her terms: Simphiwe Dludlu rejects unpaid roles

With the Hollywoodbets Super League still largely regarded as amateur, Dludlu concedes that securing a competitive salary at that level remains unlikely.

She has made it clear, however, that she will not step back into the dugout without proper remuneration, ruling out any return to coaching on a voluntary basis.

"I'm not in the national teams anymore and all of that, and I'd love to go back to club football but can they afford me?

"That's something they take us for granted for. I need to pay the bills, I need transport to come to training, and I need to be well taken care of so that I may do my job diligently."

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Dludlu currently holds a CAF A as well as a UEFA B License, hence why she argues she deserves more because of her qualifications. 

The reality of the women’s domestic league makes it near impossible that Dludlu will jump back into a role there anytime soon. 

"I'm asking myself, if I go to a club it would be a case of me donating my time there, but in donating my time it means I have to work other jobs that can supplement, whereas in the mens game it is not the same.

"Even in mens amateur football, they pay the men, but in women's football they don't. The Hollywoodbets Super League is not a professional league because if it were, there would be salaries, tax, payslips and all of that. Only Sundowns have this, everyone else is giving stipends here and there."

The 38-year-old, who also coached the U17 national team, reveals she is using her skills elsewhere at the moment.