Kevin Opia, 23, shares his passion for football with his twin brother Robert.
“He’s my biggest role model in this game. I look up to him,” she said.
She used to accompany him and his friends whenever they went to the local park to play football.
“I was always watching them, and sometimes I would join them even if they let me.”
Opia with her mother and brother. (Provided)
A teacher helped Opia gain the confidence to step out of her brother’s shadow and join a team.
“She basically trained me to be the best version of myself possible in this sport.
“I started to see that people saw potential in me.
“It really excited me and really accepted me.”
From watching her brother at the park to becoming a talented player herself. (ABC News: Bindi Bryce)
Opia was encouraged to focus more on her studies rather than playing sports.
“While my brother had this perseverance that allowed him to continue moving forward and pursuing his dreams.”
Football organizer Aminata Madua says this is a common attitude among African families.
“The mother would be happy for her to stay home and watch the children while the boys go out and play football.
“We were just there to support the men, to go see our brothers and uncles play,” she said.
Ami Madua says there are many talented players of African descent who can become the Matildas. (ABC News: Bindi Bryce)
Ms Madua says she was inspired by the Matildas’ heroics at last year’s Women’s World Cup.
She also met friends and family at African restaurants to watch Nigeria’s impressive journey.
“I’m a fan of their quality.
“To see these women play as well and as well as the men, the enthusiasm was just as incredible.”
Nigeria were tough to beat as they reached the last 16 of the Women’s World Cup in Australia. (AAP: Morgan Hancock)
For years, the annual New South Wales Africa Cup has brought the community together, with players representing their home countries.
Madua says it was difficult to gather enough players to field the women’s teams, and when they did, they were often scheduled to play early in the morning.
“No one else is going to wake up and come watch and support, and that’s discouraging.
“That’s why we’re here to break this barrier for future generations.”
Kama Umoja organizers believe that African women’s teams are not given enough exposure.
She has been appointed vice-president of Kama Umoja, a stand-alone football tournament for African women that will begin in October.
“We have been doing this for many years and our voices remain in the background.
“It’s one of the first women’s cups in New South Wales for women of colour, designed just for us.”
South Sudan, Congo and Ghana are represented by local actors. (ABC News: Bindi Bryce)
It is hoped that the tournament will spark discussions within the community about the benefits of sport.
“These conversations must come from parents first.
“We are able to talk to them in such a way that they understand that their daughters are just as great as men.”
Opia wants to inspire other African girls to pursue their dreams in football. (ABC News: Bindi Bryce)
Opia will represent her home country of South Sudan at Kama Umoja.
She played in the first women’s team at the Africa Cup and says there are now many more girls willing to sign up to play.
“I want the girls to be in their own zone, in their own autonomy, and have a good time,” she says.
“We’re all trying to come together and play this sport that we all love.”
