Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have been rewarded for their hard work in 2021.
After bagging R2m for winning the Hollywoodbets Super League, Sports, Arts and Culture minister, Nathi Mthethwa, bestowed the recognition of Excellence Awards to the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team after they became the inaugural champions of the 2021 Confederation of African Football (CAF) Women’s Champions League.
Mthethwa handed the team one-million rand at a glittering event in Sandton on Tuesday night, which was attended by, among others, MEC for Sports and Recreation in Gauteng, Mbali Hlophe, President of the South African Football Assocaition (SAFA), Dr Danny Jordaan as well as Mamelodi Sundowns FC Chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe.
The team was rewarded as part of the department’s Recognition of Excellence programme that recognises outstanding achievements by South African teams and individuals.
“Our sportswomen and men have represented South Africa very well under difficult circumstances and we must continue to recognise them. Sundowns is the first South African football team to participate in both the male and female versions of the CAF Club Champions League. We applaud the ladies for defeating Sekondi Hasaacas Ladies FC of Ghana in the finals hosted in Egypt. Congratulations to the Chairman of Mamelodi Sundowns Tlhopie Motsepe for ensuring that the Ladies team remains as competitive as their male counterparts and continue to fly the South African flag high.
Gratitude also goes to Sasol for their belief in Women’s Football over the years. Thank you as well to Hollywoodbets for coming on board to support a living dream that is Women’s Football,” said Minister Mthethwa.
Sundowns won the Super League, the COSAFA CAF Women’s Championship and went on to enter the history books when they lifted the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League.
They defeated Ghana’s Hasaacas Ladies 2-0 in the final in November last year in Cairo, Egypt.
The players and staff will now share the cheque from the minister.
By Matlhomola Morake
