Hollywoodbets Super League debutants, City Lads Ladies from the Eastern Cape, began life in the big leagues with a narrow 2-1 loss to the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in their opening match of the season last weekend.
But head coach Terry Mrwerwe is not too worried however.
He says that they knew that it would be a completely different kettle of fish when they feature in the elite women’s league.
City Lads Ladies won their provincial Sasol League title which put them in line to compete against the best of the best from the other provinces at the National Champs held in Durban, where they finished second to the Western Cape’s Vasco da Gama.
But the effort was enough to qualify them a spot in the 2022 Hollywoodbets Super League.
Following their opening match setback, they are now looking ahead to next fixture where they travel to Tshwane to face TUT in one of the triple header matches for this weekend’s women’s league action.
TUT is yet to play a match after their fixture against Durban Ladies was postponed due to the KwaZulu Natal disaster following the floods that ravaged the province recently.
The hosts finished in second position last season to champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
CentreCircle.online caught up with coach Mrwerwe ahead of the encounter with TUT.
CC: How was it like in your 1st match in the big league?
TM: It is a completely different level when you play against a top eight bracket team. I believe we gave a good account of ourselves but it was not easy. We learnt a lot from that first match.
CC: Any difference from where you were (Sasol League) to where you are now (Hollywoodbets Super League)?
TM: As I have said, to start our campaign in this league against a team that finished in third place last season was never going to be easy – it is very competitive in this league without doubt, and we saw it from our first game. And mind you, we are yet to play the other teams. But it was a good experience.
CC: In your own view what needs to be done to get the team where you would like to see it?
TM: There’s always room for improvement. We have recently signed up new players to strengthen the team. But we are well aware that a lot of work has to be done in order for us to be all on the same page. What I learned from the last game is that we have to build more confidence on the ball, and when we get that right, we will be able to carry out our match plans.
CC: Looking ahead where do u see the team finishing?
TM: Look, it is still early days but ideally we have every intention of finishing in the top eight. For now, we want to settle and be comfortable in the league.
CC: What do you think of the Hollywoodbets Super League?
TM: I am loving it, it is what we have always been aspiring for and our dream has come true. I think it’s the start of better things for women’s football. It’s up to every team, us included, to strengthen the standard and take it to the next level. And from what I saw last season and the opening matches of 2022 we have all the capabilities of doing that as there is so much talent in our country. We just have to be believe and do it.
CC: What do you expect in your next match against TUT?
TM: They are without doubt one of the strongest teams in the leagues. For them to finish in second place behind champions Sundowns means they have what it takes to win the league. Having said that, we expect another tight game and we will go there and compete, fight for three points. But if we walk away with just one, we will not be too hard on ourselves.
By Matlhomola Morake
