Soccer is one the popular sport in South Africa, it is known to bring people together and unite a nation. As one of the most popular sports in the world, soccer can be a great way to start a conversation with locals and put your language skills to the test.
However, the sheer amount of vocabulary can make this a daunting task! Soccer talk can be chock full of idioms, slang, and informal expressions and it doesn’t help that the announcers usually talk at the speed of sound.
This Afrikaans/English soccer terms glossary will help you learn the basic vocabulary of the most popular sport: football.
Learn these words, and you can be a part of the conversation. Below is the Afrikaans/English soccer terms glossary to help you get a head start on being the number one soccer fan.
Afrikaans/English soccer terms
English | Afrikaans |
|---|---|
| African Football Confederation (CAF) | Konfederasie van Afrika-voetbal |
| Confederation of Southern African Football Associations (COSAFA) | Sokkerverenigingskonfederasie van Suider-Afrika |
| Terminate | Afgelas {wedstryd} |
| Foul language | Beledigende taal |
| Accidental collision | Toevallige botsing |
| Advantage rule | Voordeelreël |
| African Champions League | Afrika-kampioeneliga |
| African Cup of Nations | Afrika-nasieskampioenskap |
| Amateur | Amateur |
| Application {law} | Toepassing {reël} |
| Assistant coach/trainer | Hulpafrigter |
| Linesman | Lynregter |
| Assistant referee’s flag | Lynregtersvlaggie |
| Attack | Aanval |
| Attacker/Striker | Doelskieter |
| Attacking team/side | Span wat aanval/Span op die aanval |
| Away game | Wegwedstryd |
| Away goal rule | Wegdoelreël |
| Backheel | Hakskop |
| Backward pass | Agtertoe-aangee |
| Ballboy | Baljoggie |
| Ball distribution | Balverspreiding |
| Ball out of play | Bal buite spel |
| Ball possession | Balbesit |
| Ball to the hand | Handbal |
| Best young player award | Beste-jong-speler-toekenning |
| Bicycle kick | Wawielskop |
| Block tackle | Blok |
| Body check | Lyfblok |
| Breakaway | Wegbars/Wegbreek |
| Bring the game into disrepute | Die spel in onguns bring |
| Broadcast | Uitsending |
| Broadcasting rights | Uitsaairegte |
| Camp | Oefenkamp |
| Cap | Verskyning vir jou land |
| Captain | Kaptein |
| Captain’s armband | Kapteinsband |
| Caution a player | ‘n speler waarsku |
| Central circle | Middelsirkel |
| Central defence | Middelverdedigers |
| Centre flag | Middellynvlag |
| Centre line | Middellyn |
| Centre mark | Middelkol |
| Challenge {for ball possession} | Wedywering {om balbesit} |
| Challenge {for ball possession} | Wedywer {om balbesit} |
| Change room | Kleedkamer |
| Charge an opponent | ‘n opponent storm/’n opponent stormloop |
| Charge an opponent from behind | ‘n opponent van agter storm/’n opponent van agter stormloop |
| Charge fairly | Korrek storm/Korrek stormloop |
| Charge in a dangerous manner | Op gevaarlike wyse storm/Ogevaarlike wyse stormloop |
|---|---|
| Chase the ball | Die bal jaag |
| Chest trap | Bal op die bors vang/Bal met die bors keer |
| Chip {short or long} | Boogaangee {kort of lank} |
| Choice of ends | Speelkantkeuse |
| Circumvent the law | Die reël omseil/Die reël ontduik |
| Club | Klub |
| Club assistant referee | Klubgrensregter |
| Club committee | Klubkomitee |
| Club official | Klubbeampte |
| Coach/Head coach/Trainer | Afrigter/Breier |
| Competition draw | Kompetisieloting/Kompetisietrekking |
| Corner arc/Arc of a circle | Hoekboog |
| Corner flag | Hoekvlag |
| Corner kick | Hoekskop |
| Counterattack | Teenaanval |
| Cramp | Kramp |
| Create space | ‘n gaping skep/’n spasie skep |
| Cross | Dwarsskopaangee/Dwarsskop |
| Crossbar | Dwarsbalk/Dwarslat |
| Crossfield pass | Dwarsveldaangee |
| Cup final | Bekereindstryd |
| Curler/Banana kick | Krulskop |
| Curtain raiser | Voorwedstryd |
| Cut | Swenkskop/Systap |
| Dangerous play | Gevaarlike spel |
| Dead ball | Die bal is dood/Dooie bal |
| Debut | Debuut |
| Defective ball | Foutiewe bal/Foutbal |
| Defence | Verdediging |
| Defender | Verdediger |
| Defending champions | Verdedigende kampioene |
| Deflection | Defleksie |
| Derby | Derby |
| Diagonal system of control | Diagonale kontrolesisteem |
| Direct free kick | Direkte vryskop |
| Disciplinary sanction | Tugstappe |
| Dissent | Verskil |
| Diving header | Duikkopskoot |
| Double caution | Dubbele geelkaart/Tweede geelkaart |
| Double-footed | Dubbelvoetig |
| Double-footed player/Two-footed player | Dubbelvoetige speler |
| Double-header | Dubbeldoortoernooi |
| Draw | Onbesliste uitslag |
| Dribble | Dribbel |
| Drop ball | Skeidsregtersbal |
| Dummy run | Flousbeweging/Flouslopie |
| Duration {match} | Duur {wedstryd}/Tydsduur |
| Emblem | Embleem/Kenteken |
| Equaliser | Gelykmaker |
| Extra time/Overtime | Ekstra tyd |
|---|---|
| Feint a kick | ‘n flousskop gee/’n flousskop uitvoer |
| Federation of International Football Associations | Internasionale Sokkerfederasie |
| FIFA fair play trophy | FIFA-skoonspeltrofee |
| FIFA world cup | FIFA-wêreldbeker |
| Final | Eindstryd/Finaal |
| Final leg | Finale been/Finale rondte |
| First division | Eerste liga |
| First half {match} | Eerste helfte {wedstryd} |
| First leg | Eerste been |
| Fixture | Wedstrydbepaling |
| Flagpost | Vlagpaaltjie |
| Flick | Aangee |
| Footballer | Sokkerspeler |
| Foot up | Voetfout |
| Formation | Formasie |
| Foul play | Gemene spel |
| Foul throw | Foutingooi |
| Fourth official | Vierde beampte |
| Fracture | Beenbreuk |
| Free kick | Vryskop |
| Free transfer | Gratis oorplasing/Vry oorplasing |
| Friendly match | Vriendskaplike wedstryd |
| Goal | Doel |
| Goal area | Doelgebied |
| Goalkeeper/Goalie | Doelwagter |
| Goalkeeper coach | Doelwagterafrigter/Doelwagterbreier |
| Goal kick | Inskop uit doelgebied |
| Goal line | Doellyn {binne doelhok} |
| Goalpost | Doelpaal |
| Goalscorer | Doelskopper |
| Golden ball award | Gouebal-toekenning |
| Golden shoe award/Golden boot award | Goueskoen-toekenning |
| Half-time/Half-time interval | Rustyd |
| Handball/Hand to the ball | Handbal |
| Hat trick | Driekuns |
| Header | Kopskoot |
| Home game | Tuiswedstryd |
| Home ground | Tuisveld |
| Home team | Tuisspan |
| Hosting team | Gasheerspan |
| Impede | Blokkeer |
| Indirect free kick | Indirekte vryskop |
| Infringement {rules}/Violation | Oortreding {reëls} |
| Injury | Besering |
| Inswinger | Inswaaier |
| Intercept | Onderskep {bal} |
| Interfere with play | Met spel inmeng |
| International club competition | Internasionale klubkompetisie |
| International committee | Internasionale komitee |
| International match | Internasionale wedstryd/Toetswedstryd |
|---|---|
| International referee | Internasionale skeidsregter/Toetsskeidsregter |
| Jersey | Trui |
| Juggling | Jonglering |
| kick-off {centre line} | Afskop {middellyn} |
| Knee guard | Knieskerm/Knieskut |
| Knock-out competition | Uitklopkompetisie |
| League | Liga |
| Left-footed player | Linksvoetige speler |
| Leg {match} | Been {wedstryd} |
| Ligament | Ligament |
| Lob the ball | Die bal luglangs skop |
| Logo | Logo |
| Long-range shot | Langafstand-doelskoot |
| Man-of-the-match-award | Speler-van-die-wedstryd-toekenning |
| Man-to-man | Man-tot-man |
| Marking {opponent} | Merk {opponent} |
| Masters team | Veteranespan |
| Match/Game | Wedstryd |
| Match commissioner | Wedstrydkommissaris |
| Match official | Assistentskeidsregter |
| Midfield | Middelveld |
| Midfield player | Middelveldspeler |
| Miss-kick | Mis skop |
| Most entertaining team award | Spantoekenning vir aantreklikste sokker |
| National team | Nasionale span |
| Nutmeg | Mikskop/Kettieskop |
| Obstruction | Obstruksie |
| Officiate {e.g. referee} | Optree (bv. skeidsregter) |
| Off season | Buiteseisoen |
| Offside | Onkant |
| Offside position | Onkantposisie |
| Offside trap | Onkantlokval |
| One-man advantage | Ekstraspelervoordeel |
| Onside | Aankant |
| Opponent | Opponent |
| Outswinger | Uitswaaier |
| Overhead kick | Oorhoofse skop |
| Overlap | Oorslaan |
| Own goal | Eie doel |
| Pace | Tempo |
| Pass | Aangee |
| Penalize | Straf |
| Penalty | Straf |
| Penalty area | Strafskopgebied |
| Penalty kick/Spot kick | Strafskop |
| Penalty mark/Penalty spot | Strafskopmerk |
| Penalty shootout | Uitklopdoelstryd |
| Penalty-taker | Skopper |
| Pitch | Field of play |
| Pivot kick | Draaiskop |
|---|---|
| Place kick | Stelskop |
| Player-of-the-year-award | Speler-van-die-jaar-toekenning |
| Play offs | Uitspeelwedstryde |
| Play on | Speel voort |
| Possession {ball} | Besit {bal} |
| Premier Soccer League | Premier-Sokkerliga |
| Pre-season | Voorseisoen |
| Professional foul | Doelbewuste fout |
| Punt | Kortskoppie/Skoppie |
| Qualifier | Uitdunwedstryd |
| Qualify | Kwalifiseer |
| Qualifying matches or games | Uitdunwedstryde |
| Rebound {ball} | Terugspring {bal} |
| Red card | Rooikaart |
| Referee | Skeidsregter |
| Referee’s whistle | Fluitjie |
| Relegate | Relegeer/Afskuif |
| Relegation | Relegasie |
| Relegation zone | Relegasiesone |
| Reserve | Plaasvervanger/Reserwe |
| Retaliate | Weerwraak neem |
| Reverse a decision | ‘n beslissing omkeer |
| Right-footed player | Regsvoetige speler |
| Roving player/Free-role player | Vryspelspeler |
| Rules of the game | Spelreëls/Reëls van die spel |
| Runner-up | Naaswenner |
| South African Football Association (SAFA) | Suid-Afrikaanse Sokkervereniging/SA Voetbalvereniging |
| South African Football Players Union (SAFPU) | Suid-Afrikaanse Sokkerspelersvereniging/SA Voetbalspelersvereniging |
| Save | Goeie keerslag |
| Score (noun) | Telling |
| Score (verb) | Doel aanteken |
| Season | Seisoen |
| Second division | Tweede liga |
| Second half {match} | Tweede helfte {wedstryd} |
| Second leg | Tweede been |
| Semi-final | Halfeindrondte/Semifinaal |
| Shielding | Wegkering |
| Shin guard/Shin pad | Skeenskut/Skeenskerm |
| Short-handed | Onderbeman {onderbemande span} |
| Shot | Skoot |
| Sideline/Touch line | Kantlyn |
| Signal | Teken |
| Signing-on fee | Aankoopbedrag/Aankoopgeld |
| Simulation | Voorgeëry |
| Sliding tackle | Skuifneerbring |
| Soccer academy | Sokkerakademie |
| Soccer analyst | Sokkerontleder |
| Soccer boot | Sokkerstewel |
| Soccer kit | Sokkeruitrusting |
| Soccer tournament/tournament | Sokkertoernooi |
|---|---|
| Spectacular | Skouspelagtige wedstryd |
| Spectator | Toeskouer |
| Squad | Oefengroep |
| Square pass | Hoekaangee |
| Stationary ball | Stil bal/Lêbal |
| Stoppage time/Referee’s optional time/Injury time/Additional time | Ekstra tyd |
| Stud | Soolknoppie |
| Studs showing | Soolknoppies wat wys |
| Substitute | Plaasvervanger |
| Substitutes’ bench/Reserves’ bench/Bench | Plaasvervangersbank/Reserwebank |
| Substitution | Vervanging |
| Sudden death | Uitklop |
| Sweeper | Veër |
| Tackle | Aanvat |
| Target player | Teikenspeler |
| Team colours | Spandrag |
| Team manager | Spanbestuurder |
| Team official | Spanbeampte |
| Team sponsorship | Spanborgskap |
| Technical area | Tegniese gebied/Tegniese area |
| Technical team | Tegniese span |
| Temporary suspension of play | Tydelike staking van spel |
| Through pass | Deuraangee |
| Throw in | Ingooi |
| Time wasting tactic | Tydverspillingstaktiek |
| Top goal scorer award | Topdoelskietertoekenning |
| Toss | Loot |
| Training session | Oefensessie |
| Trophy | Trofee |
| Two-touch passing | Dubbele aangee |
| Underdogs | Niegunstelinge |
| Unintentional handball | Onopsetlike handbal |
| Unregistered player | Ongeregistreerde speler |
| Unsportsmanlike conduct | Venue |
| Violent conduct | Gewelddadige optrede/gewelddadige spel |
| Visiting team | Besoekende span/Besoekerspan |
| Volley | Vlugbal |
| Wall {of players, defenders} | Muur {van spelers, verdedigers} |
| Warm-up | Opwarm |
| Win-draw-loss record | Wen-verloor-rekord/Uitslagrekord |
| Wing {area} | Vleuelgebied {gebied} |
| Winger {position of player} | Vleuel {posisie van speler} |
| Winner takes all | Wenner kry alles |
| Winning team | Wenspan |
| Yashin award | Yashin-toekenning |
| Yellow card | Geelkaart |
| Youth International Match | Internasionale Jeugwedstryd |
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