New kids on the block Vasco da Gama got a baptism of fire in the elite women’s league when they lost 2-1 to Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies in their opening match of the 2022 Hollywoodbets Super League.
The clash took place on Saturday, 23 April at Siwelele Park in Bloemfontein.
The Cape Town outfit won their provincial Sasol League title to qualify for the National Championship play-offs.
Vasco went on to lift the trophy in Durban earlier this year after defeating the Eastern Cape’s City Lads Ladies in the final – both were promoted to the elite women’s league.
But the start to the new life is not what they had anticipated – especially after making the long trip to the Free State for their first taste of the Hollywoodbets Super League.
Head coach Ashraf Calvert says it is a big leap from the Sasol League.
“It was learning curve for us. The ladies are much fitter for sure in the higher league, and having lost some key players did not help matters. Losing Miche Minnies and Chantay Norris was a big blow, but then again that is football, their lives are changing and that’s the main thing – we create better people and opportunities,” said Calvert.
“We have gained some young players which we can groom over time, but the ladies are learning and growing. We are hoping more players walk through our door and we give them the platform to go abroad or to big clubs as well.”
The Capetonians will not have time to lick their wounds as they will be on the road again for their second assignment.
They travel to Tshwane for a date with the University of Johannesburg (UJ FC) as part of a triple header taking place at the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) on Sunday, 1 May.
And they have vowed to fight back.
“We doing everything we can with the minimum resources we have as a club. If we can get a sponsor for our club then things will definitely move faster and we could be a super force in a season or two. I know it is still early days but we are pushing for a top six finish. The first goal is to stay up and get sponsors,” added the coach.
UJ and Vasco face off at 09h00, followed by reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies vs Golden Ladies at 11h30.
The last match of the Sunday football festival will be between the hosts, TUT, and City Lads Ladies at 15h00.
By Matlhomola Morake
