The 2022 Hollywoodbets Super League season kicks off today.
Clubs have been hard at work, coaching trying to implement their strategies and players eager to improve on their craft.
Two new teams have been added to mix – Western Cape Vasco Da Gama and City Lads Ladies from the Eastern Cape – which has increased the league from 14 to 16 teams.
But the twist is the promotion and relegation rule that takes effect this year – so there is a lot to play for and a lot at stake.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are the reigning champions and will be looking to continue their dominance this season.The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) finished in second place, followed by the University of the Western Cape (UWC), with JVW FC and First Touch Academy completing the top five.
To view how the 2021 Hollywoodbets Super League standings, go to https://mysafa.net
With preparations out of the way and the teams ready to battle for the new season, CentreCircle.online asked the coaches and captains of various teams to give their thoughts for the new season.
We posed three questions to them:
- What are your plans for the season?
- What are your hopes for 2022?
- Any predictions?
And here’s is what they had to say:
UWC – Thinasonke Mbuli (Head Coach)
“We want to do better, and improve from last season’s performances. We have critically analysed our games from the previous season, and we hope that the players we recruited can help us achieve that. We finished third last season, so we have to try and challenge for the championship. With 16 teams participating this year – there is relegation and promotion – so it is going to be veery tough and no team wants to be relegated. Every game will be very important and every point will be crucial.”
CITY LADS LADIES – TERRY MRWERWE (HEAD COACH)
“Our plans will be to find a footing for us since it’s our first season at the highest level. We will do our utmost best to be competitive within this season. We hope that we will finish the year within the top 8 bracket. We hope to give experience to younger players as well, so as to boost their confidence. I think that the season will be full of fire because this is a relegation season. Each and every team will have their socks up.”
CITY LADS LADIES: ANDISIWE NDESI (TEAM CAPTAIN)
“Being one of the senior players, my plans are to continue leading by an example, in being consistent in terms of working hard, supporting and motivating my teammates. We’ve been putting in extra effort in preparation for the forthcoming season since returning from the Sasol League National playoffs in Durban earlier this year. And the major goal is to avoid relegation and finish season in the Top 8. I’m hoping and praying that all of the relatively inexperienced players will not be put off by anything and will instead show up and demonstrate their God-given abilities. Because we have other clubs who have played in this league before, I’m positive they have gone out and recruited players to ensure that they are better prepared than the previous season. I’m certain competing in the league won’t be easy, especially since we’ve joined in the year when relegation is in effect. I predict a lot more action this season as clubs try to improve their record, and more effort will be put into each game.”
MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES – JERRY TSHABALALA (HEAD COACH)
“With the pending Hollywoodbets Super League, we have made a lot of assessments filled with some changing and grafting in plans to advance the course of action. Adequate time has been spent on planning, solidifying all that worked positively for the Team and improved on areas that needed reinforcements. We begin this Season afresh. We are writing our Season all over again. We have brought in new personnel in the Team and we are certainly looking forward to the contribution that they will be bringing to the Team. There’s a lot of excitement and anticipation to watch the unproven talent that is yet to make a name for themselves, blending in with the current Team. The will be more advantageous as we can cover more spaces with a whole new combinations.”
“Taking this opportunity to thank the players that were released from the Club. We are grateful for their contributions that got us thus far and all accomplishments achieved with the Team, will never be forgotten and remain appreciated. We wish them well with their future endeavours. We know that they will be successful in all their aspirations.”
“The desire to win remains deeply etched within our hearts as a Team. Beyond the responsibilities that lie upon our shoulders to retain the titles that we have throughout the Season, we have an obligation to keep the Masandawana happy. We are looking forward to a Season full of new possibilities. We have remained consistent in our preparations. We are looking forward to an exhilarating era as we have attained and achieved most of our targets. As I said, we begin this Season afresh, we do so facing all challenges that lie ahead with an attitude that takes nothing for granted nor leaving anything to chance. Most definitely, the Sky remains to be the Limit.”
JVW FC: Nompumelelo Nydaneni (captain)
“This season I personally plan to continue from the season before, scoring more goals and helping the team improve and win matches. The target is always winning the league and participating in international competitions as a part of the team. I envision the upcoming season to be interesting with a lot of challenges and achievements and together with the team, we can achieve our goals.”
JWV FC: MM ARTHUR (HEAD COACH)
“JVW is one of the biggest names in this country when it comes to women’s football and such it is very important that we rise to the occasion and compete to the highest level. My plan is for JVW to be the 2022 Hollywoodbets Super League Champions, and proceed to the CAF competition to represent South Africa, and even to the women’s club world cup on behalf of the African continent. The aim is to find a well balanced Team to help maintain form and Momentum throughout the season and be the team to beat. I am also hoping that we play with style and confidence, unity and love, brining out the best out of the players.”
“We have a very good group of players and we have been working very hard since assuming the position, the good thing about these players is that they’re all willing and prepared in all aspects to win the league and that makes me even happier. I’m not looking at any other position except number one on the log – so come December 2022, JVW will be crowned the champion of Hollywoodbets Super League.”
MA-INDIES: NHLANHLA MASEKO (HEAD COACH)
“Our aim this season is to make sure that the team performs and competes for a better position in the league. Our mandate is to finish in the top three, and that is what we are going to fight for from the first match all the way to the end. We also hope that more sponsors can come on board to support ladies’ teams, as this will assist lots of cubs financially to be able to pay a stipend to the players, which in turn will motivate the ladies more. We also hope that the Hollywoodbets Super League can increase the price money for the coming season.”
MA-INDIES FC: SEBATA MOLATELO (CAPTAIN)
Our hope is to see more games televised so that we can attract personal or team sponsors. We would also like to see Hollywoodbets come up with a women’s cup competition, which will make the league even more exciting.”
Hollywoodbets Super League
Week 1 Fixtures:
Saturday, 23 April 2022
Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies vs CR Vasco da Gama 15h00
Central University of Technology, Bloemfontein
City Lads Ladies vs UWC 15h00
Isaac Wolfson Stadium, Qgeberha
Coal City Wizards vs UJ 15h00
Puma Stadium, Witbank
Golden Ladies vs Thunderbirds Ladies 15h00
North West University, Mahikeng
JVW FC vs Richmond United 15h00
Wits Stadium, Johannesburg
Durban Ladies vs TUT 15h00 (decision pending)
Sunday, 24 April 2022:
Giyani Stadium, Limpopo
First Touch Academy vs CR Vasco da Gama 11h30
Ma-Indies FC vs Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies 15h00
To view the fixtures, log on to https://mysafa.net or www.safa.net
By Matlhomola Morake
