Birds slowly nurse themselves back to form

Despite a 3–0 loss to Palace Super Falcons in a Sasol Women League game at the Alexandra Stadium, Bluebirds are slowly but surely nursing themselves back to form.

They played their hearts out and matched the Falcons pound for pound but their strikers let them down by failing to convert the chances they got.

In contrast, the few opportunities that came the Falcons way were put in the back of the net. The Alex outfit closed the Falcons out for the first 40 minutes, only to concede in the 41st minute. Earlier in the 32 second minute, Birds keeper Tshidi Morua made a brilliant save when she parried the ball over the crossbar.

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In the second half, reserve keeper Asa Rabalao replaced Morua, and in less than three minutes of the resumption, the Falcons made it 2–0 when their striker dribbled past an advancing Rabalao to slot the ball into an empty net.

Another goal-bound strike by the Falcons was headed off the line by Ntsoaki Phala, with Rabalao stranded at the penalty spot after advancing towards an oncoming striker.

The Birds nearly pulled one back in the 52nd minute but the Falcons keeper pulled off a fine save after Birds skipper Nyatama Mnguni had unleashed a shot.

The Falcons’ third came from a free kick just outside the box which had Rabalao at sixes and sevens.

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Birds coach Malvin Khumalo, though disappointed with the loss, was delighted by the fact his girls showed character and put up a brave fight.

“I am delighted that we have shown some improvement from the other games we lost, and we need to continue to build on that confidence going forward,” Khumalo said.

The rest of the Birds’ schedule for June is away to Pull Together of Mamelodi on 10 June, home to Vaal University of Technology on 17 June and away to Janine van Wyk Ladies on 24 June in Bedfordview.