Baby Wolves goalkeeper Nqobile Biyela started life at the opposite end of the pitch.

In fact, she didn’t switch to the position that defines her stellar career until her mid-teens.

Biyela has been a revelation since taking over from Banyana Banyana shot-stopper Kebotseng Moletsane after the latter left mid-season for Mamelodi Sundowns.

While having massive boots to fill, she is emerging as a star in her own right.

Her defence has not been breached in three of her nine appearances so far, leaving her joint-fifth in clean sheets across the Hollywoodbets Super League.

Biyela’s arrival as a No 1 of note will not surprise those who have followed her journey from the junior ranks.

At age seven, she was already playing street football with the boys of her Durban neighbourhood.

She also competed for her primary school, with her devoted mother, Thandile, pulling out all the stops to make sure she had kit.

In high school, her talent earnt her a spot in a KwaZulu-Natal development team.

She arrived as a forward but quickly found herself substituting for the regular ’keeper when she went down with an injury.

“I was so scared,” she recalled. “But, as time went on, I loved the position more than being an infield player.”

Her selection for a South Africa team competing at the 2016 One Nation Cup in Germany further highlighted how well the role fit.

That tournament brought together U15 boys and girls from Africa, Asia, America, Australia and Europe.

The youngsters did the Rainbow Nation proud, winning bronze after beating the US 2-1 in the third-place playoff. They were also named fairest team of the tournament.

On her return, Biyela continued to impress in KZN football, including being the standout performer at the Salga Games, the province’s annual youth sports festival.

In 2018, former Hollywoodbets Super League outfit Lindelani Ladies FC came knocking. Having supported them as a child, she didn’t need a second invitation to sign on the dotted line.

The move could not have worked out better after Biyela proved instrumental in her team’s mesmerising run to Super League promotion after lockdown.

She linked up with the University of Fort Hare last year, even though she knew she would largely warm the bench with Moletsane in goal. She has no regrets as it gave her the opportunity to learn from the Banyana player.

Even though they represent different clubs now, Biyela and Moletsane remain close. The latter always makes herself available to advise her former understudy.

She is understandably excited that Fort Hare are in the running to win the Super Rise stream, especially after clawing their way into contention from a mediocre start to the season.

As for her own ambitions, she would love to follow in her predecessor’s footsteps and don the green-and-gold for her country.

“That is my mission, but it’s God’s plan,” she said.

For now, she is the impenetrable wall at the back, serving her teammates and making Thandile proud.

“My mom watches all my games on TV. I want to thank her for everything. Even when I am not feeling 100 per cent, she encourages me.”