Alexandra’s Bluebirds women’s football club have a difficult assignment when they clash with Sasol League champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies on 25 May.
Bluebirds will host the reigning champions in a titanic clash at the Altrek Sports Complex in Eastbank, Alexandra.
Up until now, the Alex ladies outfit is doing relatively well for a team that is in its maiden season in top flight football, having played six games, won three and lost three.
Because it takes the South African Football Association donkey’s years to update the log standings, Bluebirds coach Malvin Khumalo was not sure what position they currently hold.
“The last time it was updated was three weeks back and we were sitting at position five with nine points in a league of 16 teams,” said Khumalo.
If Bluebirds want to hold their own ground against a rampant Sundowns ladies striking force, they have to work extra-hard on their line of defence. If it was not for the numerous ‘man of the match’ saves by Bluebirds keeper Asa Rabalao in most of the games, the coach would be telling a different story.
“For this Sundowns game, our defence will need to turn their abilities into overdrive if they want to contain the rampant Sundowns strikers. This is a tall order but we hope to live up to it,” said Khumalo. “If we can pull a draw against the champions or even win the game, our confidence for the upcoming matches will be boosted.”
If walloped in this encounter, the only solace the Bluebirds coach and his team will draw is that they have not set themselves ambitious targets.
“We have set ourselves moderate and realistic targets in our maiden season. We want to consolidate our place in the elite league, learn from those already there, and establish ourselves and only then can start challenging for league honours.”
Khumalo said the team had set 2018 as its target year to start challenging for honours. “If by the grace of the Almighty those honours come before our target date and time, then we shall have achieved the impossible,” Khumalo said.
