Week 5 of the Hollywoodbets Super League promises to serve fans a hot dish when reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies travel to Mpumalanga for a date with newcomers TS Galaxy Queens.
The much-anticipated fixture will be played on Saturday (11 March) at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium at 15h00.
This will be the first ever meeting between the two star-studded sides, boasting experienced players like Andile Dlamini, Karabo Dhlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Oratile Mokwena, Andisiwe Mgcoyi, Boitumelo Rabale, Melinda Kgadiete, Thalea Smidt, among others from the Brazilian camp.
The Rockets are not lacking either in terms of ammunition.
On their books, they have last season’s top goal scorer Nompumelelo Nyandeni as well as Nothando Vilakazi and Mamello Makhabane – with just over 400 Banyana Banyana caps between the three of them.
Also at TS Galaxy are Nomvula Kgoale, Yolula Tsawe and Busisiwe Ndimeni to mention a few.
The benches of both teams are equally strong.
TS Galaxy is under the tutelage of head coach Jabulile Baloyi, who used to call the shots Stellenbosch University and at University of Johannesburg. She has also worked alongside Simphiwe Dludlu, the South African U17 Women’s National Team, and together they led the South African U20 Women’s National Team to the third round of the 2022 FIFA Women’s World Cup qualifiers.
Jerry Tshabalala is in charge of Sundowns Ladies and the team to three Hollywoodbets Super League titles in a row, won the COSAFA qualifiers of the CAF Women’s Champions League before lifting the trophy of the inaugural CAF Women’s Champions League.
Kappa, as Tshabalala is known among his peer, is looking forward to the Sunday challenge.
“I wouldn’t say it’s our biggest challenge in the league – there are 16 teams in the league. You remember our first game when we won 1-0 playing against Richmond, we never even expected to win by 1-0, so all the teams are going to be tough. I am excited about facing TS Galaxy because I’m expecting to see an open play. I said to my players if we could play badly against them (TS Galaxy) then I would understand and say there’s something wrong in terms of us not being able to create those chances and scoring because I believe TS Galaxy will play an open game,” said Tshabalala.
Despite having won all their four matches, the Brazilians know they are not firing on all cylinders.
They have scored 10 goals and conceded three – but are still top of the table with 12 points.
TS Galaxy is sitting on position five with seven points – five behind the log leaders.
The Rockets have won two matches, drew one and lost the other.
Their last game ended in a draw against a stubborn Royal AM, who came from behind to snatch a point.
Baloyi is aware that the Sundowns Ladies fixture is a tough test for her new side.
“It’s going to be a very difficult encounter, a very tricky match which will be tactically demanding because we are playing against a team that is superior in all aspects of the game. They have been winning the league in the previous years and they are consistent in their approach in winning the matches that they’ve played – in fact they have won all of them, they’ve got the upper hand and they’re also highly motivated,” said Baloyi.
“We are going to this game coming from a match against Royal AM and we got one point of the three, which is a positive result as we were the traveling team. We are also mindful of their (Sundowns) goal scorers – they’ve got brilliant attackers so it’s going to be a difficult one. Defensively, we will have to be sober and focused throughout the full 90 minutes, including referees optional time. As far as preparations are concerned everything is on track, we are positive.”
The Mpumalanga side is playing in its maiden season in the Hollywoodbets Super League after buying the status of Cape Town’s Vasco da Gama earlier this year.
By Matlhomola Morake
