We’ll soldier on, says Alex’s Bluebirds Ladies coach and club founder

Only a miracle will save Bluebirds Ladies from being relegated at the end of the season of the Sasol Women’s League after going winless in nine games.

The best they have done so far were two draws against UJ Ladies and newcomers Rosina Sedibane Ladies. They lost again last weekend when North West University Ladies beat them 2–0 at the Alexandra Stadium.

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This was a match which coach Malvin Khumalo had punted as a must win against what he had described as ‘weaker’ opponents. Asked whether he was throwing in the towel after nine games without a win, Khumalo, who is also the founder of the club, said they would have to soldier on. “Throwing in the towel is far from our minds,” he said.

“We’re not quitters. We will take it as it comes.”

Khumalo pointed out that it would be a shame if the team was relegated next season when Safa will be launching an elite

professional women’s league similar to the Premier Soccer League’s Absa Premiership.

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Most of the men’s teams in the premiership already have women’s teams in the Sasol League and Safa has indicated that those premiership clubs which don’t will be encouraged to establish them. It is understood Safa will give preferential spots in the women’s professional league to the Absa Premiership teams.

Outsiders currently playing in the Sasol League will have to qualify for a spot in the women’s elite league, which includes teams such as Bluebirds Ladies and others.

“My wish is that we make the cut and grade for the professional league and hence we would love to hang in there in the Sasol League in the hope that we might also be qualified to make history and be one of the first teams in a professional league,” said Khumalo.

On whether the transfer window coming up soon could open opportunities for him to bolster his squad, Khumalo said their unenviable position on the log works against them.

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“No one wants to leave their comfort zones for a team that is at the tail end of the log. If we were somewhere up there, we could be talking a different story. Under the present conditions, our solace only lies in drilling and encouraging these youngsters to believe in themselves and inculcating a winning culture.”

He said most of the youngsters in the team were still at school and struggled to come to training due to a number of reasons, top of which was transport. “We sometimes play our matches, both home away, with three or four ladies down and this is what is costing us so dearly.

“Even if all team members make it to the games, some of them will not be match fit as they have missed on a number of practice sessions. This is what happens when you don’t have a sponsor.”

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