We left everything on the field - Daweti.

Lelona Daweti says Mamelodi Sundowns had to leave everything on the field in order to defeat a well organized and determined University of Johannesburg Ladies 2-1 on Sunday afternoon.

Daweti scored Sundowns Ladies opening goal as early as the third minute, before Melinda Kgadiete added the second in the 46th minute.

While Banyana Ba Style walked away with all the three points, they were made to sweat by a stubborn UJ side who didn't allow them to play their normal fluid attacking football.

Daweti acknowledges the difficulty they had to go through to win the game, Daweti says she is delighted with the overall performance of the team.

"We are delighted with the overall performance of our team, especially considering the challenging nature of our opponents," Daweti told Mamelodi Sundowns media team.

"Throughout the game, we gave our absolute best and demonstrated our commitment by leaving everything on the field.

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It was in the last few minutes of the game where it looked like UJ could steal a point from the game, especially after they had pulled one goal back.

Daweti says Downs character pulled them through from UJ's late onslaught.

"Despite facing some nerve-wracking moments in the last few minutes, we displayed great character and bravery, ultimately securing the valuable three points.

"This result serves as a solid foundation for us moving forward, and we are fully determined to carry the positive momentum into our next game."

Sundowns Ladies will face 14th placed Thunderbirds in their next Hollywoodbets Super League encounter.

Sundowns Ladies beat stubborn UJ.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies made it six Hollywoodbets Super League wins in a row when they beat a gallant University of Johannesburg 2-1 on Sunday afternoon at the UJ Stadium.

UJ, who hadn't won a match in their last five outings, put on a strong defensive performance at home, making it difficult for Sundowns Ladies to play through their lines.

But Banyana ba Style were still able to find some openings in the first half, which led to their two goals from Lelona Daweti in the 3rd minute, and Melinda Kgadiete in the 46th minute.

In the second half though, UJ tightened the screws even more, as they got more compact in the central channels, denying Sundowns Ladies enough space to maneuver.

As a result, Sundowns ended up with a lot of the ball without any impact in the final third, despite the determined efforts of Refilwe Tholakele and Chuene Morifi.

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While UJ were excellent in defence, offensively they were found wanting.

After winning possession, it was quickly recovered by Sundowns as their offensive players were almost always isolated in the Sundowns defensive third.

In the 87th minute, UJ finally executed a profitable offensive transition which led to their consolation goal.

With their win, Sundowns Ladies sit on top of the log with 37 points, a point ahead of University of Western Cape, who managed to beat JWV 2-0 on Saturday.

The atmosphere in the dressing room is electric - Kgadiete.

Boosted by their all-important 3-0 win over University of Western Cape last weekend, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies now have their sights set on claiming University of Johannesburg's scalp.

Banyana ba Style are enjoying a rich vein of form, having won their last five matches in the Hollywoodbets Super League to lift themselves to the summit of the log.

Sundowns Ladies and Banyana Banyana forward, Melinda Kgadiete, says the win over UWC has boosted the moral in their camp, and it feels great to be on the top of the log.

“It was an amazing victory that rejuvenated our team and ensured that we are back on top of the league standings once again. The atmosphere in the dressing room is electric, brimming with positivity and anticipation as we look ahead to Sunday’s game. Our ambition is to maintain our position at the summit of the table; however, we are fully aware that a formidable challenge awaits us in the form of UJ,” said the striker.

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Kgadiete, who scored a brace against UJ last season, says she would like to do more of the same this weekend.

“I fondly recall the satisfaction of scoring two goals against them last year. As a striker, my ultimate aim is to contribute to the team’s success by finding the back of the net. Naturally, I am eager for a similar outcome in our upcoming matches, with the added hope of netting even more goals to further support our team’s victory.”

Sundowns Ladies and University of Johannesburg will clash at UJ Stadium on Sunday 21 May, kick-off is at 15:00.

 

Sundowns Ladies back where they belong.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies beat University of Western Cape 3-0 in a highly anticipated Hollywoodbets Super League match played at Tuks Stadium on Sunday afternoon.

Goals from Morifi Chuene, Andisiwe Mgcoyi, and new signing, Refilwe Tholakele were enough to see Sundowns Ladies move to the summit of the log with a point ahead of UWC.

Banyana ba style coach, Jerry Tshabalala, said the thorough preparations for the match paid off as his girls managed to put on an exceptional display.

"The girls delivered an exceptional performance, showcasing their immense talent and skill on the field of play. Our thorough preparations paid off, as we demonstrated our status as one of the top teams in Africa. We dominated tactically in every aspect of the game, from defense to offense. I must commend Tholakele for displaying her exceptional finishing and class in her debut match with our team. Her contribution was truly remarkable," Tshabalala told Mamelodi Sundowns website.

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It wasn't only a sweet victory for Downs Ladies, but a dream debut for Botswana International, Refilwe Tholakele, who scored her first goal for Sundowns Ladies late in the game.

Tholakele says scoring on debut has helped her settle her nerves, boosting her confidence for the coming games.

"The game was undoubtedly filled with pressure, and I want to express my gratitude to my teammates and coaches for their unwavering support throughout my first match. Scoring that goal was crucial in helping me settle my nerves, and it has given me a boost of confidence for the upcoming games. I am already excited and eagerly anticipating our next match," said Tholakele.

Sundowns Ladies will face University of Johannesburg in another tough encounter next week.

UWC aiming for Sundowns Ladies scalp.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will host the University of Western Cape in a top of the table Hollywoodbets Super League clash tomorrow [Sunday 14 May] at Tuks Stadium, kick-off is at 15:00.

UWC are currently leading the title race with 33 points after a round of 12 matches, with Sundowns in close second with 31 points.

While Sundowns Ladies will be looking to win and go top on their familiar number spot, UWC will be motivated by their good form, plus the fact that Downs failed to beat them last season.

UWC emerged as 2-0 winners in the first round, and the second round fixture ended in a 1-1 draw.

Speaking to the Mamelodi Sundowns media department, Downs Ladies midfielder, Lerato Kgasago, said while they give each game the respect it deserves, they are aware of the significance of this particular encounter.

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"It is crucial to acknowledge the significance of every game, but there is no denying that this particular match is a highly anticipated top-of-the-table clash. While we approach each fixture with utmost seriousness, we are well aware of the expectation surrounding this match. Our team has been diligently preparing, leaving no stone unturned, as we aim to secure maximum points. Emerging victorious is at the forefront of our agenda, and we are determined to deliver a strong performance on the day," said Kgasago.

Her Sundowns Ladies teammate, Regina Mogolola, said they are well aware of UWC's strengths, and they are ready to face them head-on.

"They are a ball-playing team that has exhibited remarkable consistency throughout the season. As we approach this game, every member of our team fully understands the magnitude of the task on Sunday. From a tactical perspective, they possess tremendous energy on the field and consistently execute effective counter-pressing strategies. We are fully aware of their strengths and are ready to face them head-on," said Mogolola.

On the other side, UWC's Amogelang Motau, said the arrival of sports scientist, Ridhaa Allie, has seen them improve significantly when it comes to their conditioning.

Motau believes that is one of the factors that have led to UWC's great start this season, as well as the fact that they have been playing together for three seasons, which has improved the understanding between the players.

"Last year we had a problem where we didn't have enough depth on the squad. This season is different for us. I think with Ridhaa Allie coming in as our sports scientist and helping us with the conditioning, I think we are well-conditioned," said Motau as quoted by SABC Sport. https://www.sabcsport.com/soccer/news/mfjb1fbaz1b6m7x

"And also, we've been playing with this team for three seasons now, and I think we know each other and our goal is clear this season. We were second last season, and there's no place between the second and the first place, so there's only one way to go."

The match will be televised live on SABC 1.

Is Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies suffering from stagnation?

                                        Image: Mamelodi Sundowns Facebook

 

In 2021, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies won the inaugural African Women’s Champions League title, a huge achievement that raised a few eye brows, together with expectations for more greatness, and a possible dominance of women’s football in the continent.

Fast forward to 2022, Sundowns Ladies relinquished their title to a determined, well organised, and technically/tactically superior ASFAR Ladies from Morocco.

If anything, the loss to ASFAR highlighted how much Sundowns have to improve if they are to win the continental showpiece again in this lifetime.

While the other teams in the continent and locally have been showing great improvements as the women’s game continues to gain more recognition, the Hollywoodbets Super league champions seem to have remained stagnant.

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Recently, they were shocked 1-0 at home by Royal AM, and they are currently second on the log behind UWC (University of Western Cape).

Losing to Royal AM, it must be said, is not a train smash, so is being second on the log in the early parts of the season.

But the fact that the mighty Sundowns Ladies have managed to score 13 goals in eight matches, compared to UWC’s 28 in seven matches, tells a story of how the other teams are improving in leaps and bounds, while the Brazilians have remained a bit stagnant. To emphasize on that point, third placed University of JHB has also scored more goals, 26 to be precise, than Sundowns.

Riding on their 2021 success, Sundowns should be head and shoulders above the rest in the Hollywoodbets Super League, and Africa for that matter, unfortunately that doesn’t seem to be the matter,which highlights a problem with the team’s growth.

Despite the obvious cracks showing, Masandawana Ladies coach, Jerry Tshabalala believes Sundowns can become one of the best teams in the world, an ambition that is more than attainable considering the resources, both human and financial at their disposal.

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“When I first took over, I wanted to make Sundowns one of the best teams in Africa. In 2012 the team was nowhere and one year later we were champions of the country. We want to make this one of the best teams in the world now,”

“We are in the top 30 teams in the world, and we need to be competing with the likes of Chelsea and being in the top 5 in the world. To be successful you must be grounded and humble. We just want to keep winning and that’s in our culture in the club.”

The fact is, Sundowns ladies, who were voted the best ladies team in Africa by IFFHS, can regroup and go on to win their fourth Hollywoodbets Super League title in a row, which is possible.

But another fact is, the other teams are quickly improving, and that is what Downs should be doing too. Reaching the dizzying heights of their male counterparts should be their goal, again, they have the resources, Jerry Tshabalala needs to utilize them well, and maybe, just maybe, his dream of making Sundowns Ladies one of the best in the world may become a reality.

At the rate they are going though, it looks impossible.