UJ coach Nthabeleng Modiko sad to lose two stars as HWBSL resumes
28th July 2025
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University of Johannesburg FC coach Nthabeleng Modiko expressed sadness at losing Ayesha Moosa and Adrielle Mibe as they returned to the Hollywoodbets Super League with a 1-1 draw with First Touch Ladies on Sunday.
Moosa, who was second on the goal scorers’ charts with seven goals before the WAFCON break, has jetted off to Spain to play for CD Argual, while teenager Mibe has joined the University of Arizona in the USA.
Although Modiko would have loved to retain them in her team for the rest of the campaign, she admits their absence is sure to be felt as UJ enter a transition, but the fruits will be evident for the players' personal careers.
"I'm missing two key figures in my starting 11 that used to keep everything together – I mean, Adrielle Mibe as well as Ayesha Moosa are big shoes to fill for others that are coming in, and it also speaks to the chemistry between players in the different groups.
"Mibe is only 18 and she's already being dubbed as the next best thing to come out of South Africa, that's why the US university was so keen on her.
"And I think, if you see what is to develop from that, it's just good things for her, so by the time she's done with her schooling, possibly in the next four years, she'll still only be 22."
Banyana Banyana midfielder Ayesha Moosa
Moosa scored both goals when UJ beat Ezemvelo in their last game before the break on June 14, and Modiko believes hers is a big loss to the women’s league in the country, but quickly noted how Banyana Banyana stands to benefit in the long run.
"Ayesha, for me, is a big loss in terms of South African football, but a big gain in terms of the experience she's going to bring into the country," she added.
"We are always talking about players needing to be imported and going out of the country to be able to come back and help the national team.
"So this is a big opportunity for both of them because I think Coach Desiree will be smiling to know they are trained by the best of the best in the world.
"Anybody who knows football, especially women's football, will talk of how the United States and Spain are the core hubs of actually developing top women's footballers, so we are happy and excited for them, and we just want to wish them well."
