The Shamase twins made headlines in Lithuania when they led Gintra FC to a convincing 5-0 victory over Anenii Noi of Moldova on Thursday, 5 September. This was in the first qualifying round Group 3 of the EUFA Women’s Champions League.
S’phumelele hit a hattrick in the 48th, 75th and 81st minutes and Thubelihle chipped in with one goal late in the first half (39th).
Gintra FC is now one match away from the group stages of the UEFA Women’s Champions League.
They face Scotland’s Celtic for a place in the next phase of the competition. The clash takes place on Saturday (7 September 2024). The group stage matches are scheduled to kick off in October.
On the same day when S’phumelele Shamase was running rings around the team from Moldova, elsewhere in Mexico Thembi Kgatlana scored in the 75th minute give her side, Tigres UANL a comfortable 2-0 victory against compatriot, Sinoxolo Cesane’s Mazatlán FC. The latter is second from bottom in the Mexican women’s league after six defeats, and one win in seven outings.
Kgatlana has now scored four in eight matches.
Earlier in the week, also in the Liga MX Femenil, Jermaine Seoposenwe struck twice in three minutes to hand Monterrey FC a 3-1 win over Queretaro Femenil. They remain unbeaten in seven matches, with a game in hand.
The Banyana Banyana forward found the back of the net in the 9th and 12th minutes, and now has three goals this season.
The news of the four players finding rich vein of form ahead of Banyana Banyana’s friendly international against England will no doubt excite South Africa’s head coach Desiree Ellis. She is expected to announce her squad in the next few days.
The African Champions face the Lionesses of England, who are the reigning European Champions, later this month (Tuesday, 29 September 2024) at the Coventry Building Society Arena in Coventry City.
By Matlhomola Morake
