Topa laat ons gaan: TikTok queen also a soccer star

What began as a viral TikTok dance video has catapulted 18-year-old Maria Edward onto a new journey, including a starring role on the soccer field.

The teen is now an attacking mid-fielder in a women’s soccer club after her recent expulsion from the Alba Chipamba Training Centre at Oshikango. Her expulsion, following the now popular ‘Topa laat ons gaan’ video in which she was accused of being intoxicated in uniform, has opened other doors.

From appearing in corporate commercials, Edward recently joined the Ongwediva Queens for the upcoming 2023/24 FNB Women’s Super League season.

“I love soccer and my late mother loved soccer as well. So, it’s a thing that she passed on to me,” an enthusiastic Edward told The Namibian in an interview this week.

“I used to play for Onawa Secondary School when I was at school there as well,” Edward said.

‘BAG OF SURPRISES’

Edward’s love for sport was ignited during her early school years. She said she was part of the school team.

“For sport, I only play soccer. For other activities, I am a dancer,” she said.

“I think I’m multi-talented,” she said.

According to her, she can play as a striker, however, she said she does not have the speed required for a striker.

“I feel honoured to join the Ongwediva Queens FC, because I will be playing in the league. I really don’t know where I will end up, whether it’s in the entertainment industry, sport or in school,” Edward added.

Phillip Dalla from the Ongwediva Queens FC technical team said Edward’s signing is crucial to the team.

“She is a former player and has been playing even at school level. She is currently training with the rest of the team,” Dalla said.

Dalla added that Edward is a skilful player with great ball touches and speed.

“Age is also on her side and that will give her room for improvement. We are a team that is in the FNB Women’s Super League and we are also planning to have new signings soon from clubs in Windhoek,” he said.

‘LIFE AFTER THE VIDEO’

Edward said being expelled from school was not easy because of her passion for nursing.

“I was a bit down, but I had to get back on my feet. People love ‘Topa laat ons gaan’. I just had to accept that everything happens for a reason,” Edward said.

She has applied to another nursing school.

“I had to write a test first before I got admitted to that nursing school. But it’s not yet final,” she said.

She did nursing and midwifery in her first year at her previous institution.

‘CHAPTER CLOSED’

Edward said although there have been calls for the school to reinstate her, she says things will not be the same if she returns to the same school.

“It was going to be toxic for me, because they [school] will just accept me since people are saying so,” she said.

“I do not want to have a tough relationship with my lecturers. I want things to be smooth. I know I was good in school, but if you are sent back to a school that once expelled you it’s not going to be the same,” she said.

‘REGRET’

Edward said even though she enjoys being an entertainer, she regrets the video in uniform.

“It’s just the uniform that I regret wearing. It was not done intentionally and I did not expect it to go viral,” Edward said.

“Things come and go. It’s not something that will be in the spotlight forever,” she admits. However, she said she does not see herself as a performing artist.

She added that working with big brands was an honour.

“It’s not just the video alone, but people who gave me a platform to do adverts for them that put me in the spotlight as well,” Edward said.

‘TOPA SEASON IS OVER’

Edward also said the ‘Topa laat ons gaan’ season is over.

“I want to do something new. I want to start over. Not this ‘topa topa’ stuff. There are other challenges,” Edwards said.

“I see people want me to be saying ‘topa’ at every end of something, but my ‘topa’ season is over,” she said.

‘RESPECT UNIFORMS’

Edward urged fellow student nurses to be careful of what they do in public.

“Whatever you do in your uniforms, you carry your institution’s name, it will reflect back on you. Be careful,” she advised.

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