Dismal Birds flop in Map Games

Bluebirds Ladies were booted out in the group stages of the Maimane Alfred Phiri (Map) Games 2016 following a dismal show at the No 3 Square Grounds.

This is one trophy that has eluded the Birds since the inception of the women’s section of the tournament in 2013. It has been won by their arch-rivals, Alex Ladies in 2013 and 2014, and then last year it was won by Vosloorus side Silver Spears which is coached by the famous blind coach, Dumisani Ntombela. Silver Spears did not participate in the competition this year.

Birds coach Malvin Trynos Khumalo said he was disappointed that despite the abundance of talent and quality of players he had in his team, they had not been able to live up to expectations.

Malvin’s Girls, as the Birds are popularly known in Alexandra, were paired in Group A with the likes of Crousers Ladies, Wits University Ladies and Pull Together of Mabopane, who are the champions of the inaugural JM Busha Women’s Tournament in Alexandra.

Birds had been paired with what was considered as ‘a walk in the park’ group but they still failed to make it after they drew their opening game against Wits Ladies 1–1, lost 4–1 to Pull Together and then drew their last game 1–1 against Crousers.

Khumalo said his girls played well against fellow Sasol Women’s League team, Crousers, and wondered why they could not do the same in the other games. “Our performance was more than just dismal and it gives me concern going forward in the Sasol League,” he said.

“I thought I could use these games to prepare the team for the resumption of the league on 23 July. The break in the league has really worked against us as it has broken the momentum we had built.”