Online Reporter
Blessing Malinganiza [email protected]
NINE years ago, on May 25, Warriors and FC Cincinnati defender Teenage Hadebe’s life changed forever when he lost his mother, Sellinah — a woman he describes as his first coach, biggest critic and strongest supporter.
At the time, he was still a young footballer trying to find his place in the demanding world of professional sport, having just joined Kaizer Chiefs in South Africa. The loss hit him hard, and he later admitted that it nearly forced him to walk away from the game.
However, for Hadebe, that painful moment became a source of strength and motivation. Each time he steps onto the pitch, whether for his club or the national team, he carries his mother’s memory with him in a very personal way.
Supporters have often noticed the plain vest he wears underneath his jersey. Unlike many players who wear branded gear, Hadebe’s vest carries a special message — printed boldly across the front are the words: “My Mother’s Blessings.”
The tribute is deeply meaningful to him and even inspired his first tattoo, which bears the same message.
“I feel her warmth under the shirt. When I am tired and into the thick of action, I touch my chest, and I remember who believed in me first,” he said.
This year, as he marked the ninth anniversary of her passing, Hadebe chose to honour her again with a second and even more personal tribute.
On the left side of his neck, just below his jawline, he has tattooed the name “Sellinah”. The design flows down towards his chest, where it connects with a small blooming lily and the date of her passing.
Unlike many athletes who prefer to keep their tattoos hidden, Hadebe said he wants his mother’s name to be seen.
“When I go for a header, my neck stretches. The camera sees it. My opponents see it. She sees it. I used to play for scouts, for contracts, for trophies. Now I play so that people keep saying her name. Sellinah. My mother,” he said.
Hadebe, who is currently recovering from injury, missed the Warriors’ recent camp for the Unity Cup in London as he continues his rehabilitation.
