THE ITALIAN JOB

Refiloe Jane has fitted in like a glove at AC Milan.

Photos: AC Milan Twitter | BackpagePix By MIHLALI BALEKA

Refiloe Jane’s long wait for a move to AC Milan has been worth it

FROM the streets of Soweto to the catwalks of Milan. It’s probably safe to say Refiloe “Fifi” Jane is “living the dream”, considering her humble beginnings to becoming a colossal figure for Italian heavyweights AC Milan.

After earning her stripes at the Vaal University of Technology ladies’ team, Jane became a prominent figure in South African football. As a result, she was appointed Banyana Banyana vice-captain.

She had to watch the first stages of transformation in women’s football from the sidelines as her Banyana teammates bagged lucrative European contracts. And when her time to join the professional ranks came, it was met with struggles.

In 2018, Jane and her friend Rhoda Mulaudzi secured trials with Australian W-League side Canberra United. There it was not all glitz and glam from the outset as they would be responsible for their own accommodation and flights, forcing them to seek assistance from loved ones.

Fortunately, it all worked out with the duo enjoying a successful stint in their first professional move abroad. As a result, their expertise guided Banyana to their maiden Women’s World Cup appearance in France two years ago.

Jane’s performances were so outstanding it caught the eye of AC Milan. At Milan, she fitted like a glove – becoming an important figure in midfield. Her displays for the club bagged her two contract extensions – last year and this year – in a feat that will see her spend at least three years in the world’s fashion capital.

Jane’s move to Milan may have taken longer than expected, but the wait appears to have been worth it. That Jane is holding on tightly to the dream is because she hopes to be a source of motivation for aspiring young female footballers.

“My journey should be used as motivation, especially in SA where I come from an underprivileged background. I have shown that no dreams are unachievable if you have necessary support,’’ Jane told Milan TV early this year.

With the world slowly regaining normality following the Covid-19 pandemic, the 29-year-old maestro returned to the national team for the ongoing Aisha Buhari Cup in Nigeria for the first time since the World Cup. And we can’t wait to see her turn on the Italian magic!

Refiloe Jane with her teammates in Milan.