Commencing with an Africa women’s league has been in the pipeline for some time now and eventually it was announced that such a venture will be initiated.
South African Football Association (SAFA) senior NEC member, Natasha Tsichlas, has lauded the recent move by the Confederation of African Football (CAF) to establish an annual club women’s championship.
She called this a ground-breaking development. Tsichlas, who is also a member of the CAF organising committee for women’s football, said this will help grow the game tremendously, not only in South Africa but also on the continent.
“We established the SAFA National Women’s League a year ago and now this development. I am really excited because now our own league’s competitiveness will be enhanced because clubs will have another huge honour to fight for.
“Playing on the continent will help create great competition in domestic women leagues across Africa. I was one of the proponents of this league and I am glad this is a dream come true,” said Tsichlas.
The former Mamelodi Sundowns owner said credit for the creation of this league should also go to SAFA president, Dr Danny Jordaan, who is also the CAF third vice-president.
“Our president’s love for the growth of women’s game is well documented and we must credit him a lot for this development. He played a pivotal role in the creation of this CAF league,” said Tsichlas.
Tsichlas is confident that soon Africa will compete with the best in the world.
“When you look back to where women football was 20 years ago and where it is now, you can see that Africa has really made huge strides and South Africa, in particular, must continue to play a major role.
“I am also happy for Mamelodi Sundowns women’s team for winning the inaugural South African National Women’s League and being the first South African club to compete in this first CAF Women’s League. “They have a good team, are professionals and a well looked after outfit. It won’t be a surprise if they go on and win this inaugural CAF tournament as well,” she said.
The firebrand ‘Iron Lady’ of South African football said such developments should spur other teams to establish own women teams.
“This should encourage other teams to follow the footsteps of Sundowns and Bloemfontein Celtic, among others. Women football is the fastest growing sport on the globe and I am glad South Africa is tapping into that potential. I call upon other teams to play their part in growing this game,” she said.
