Local women’s football continues its Soweto dominence

Alex XI Ladies squad scored a goal in each half to beat their Soweto counterparts 2–0 and thereby stamped the dominance over their arch-rivals in a celebratory match at the Alexandra Stadium to mark June 16’s 40th Anniversary.

This was the second celebratory match between the two sides, the first was played in Soweto a week ago and the Alex XI Ladies handed the Soweto XI Ladies a humiliating drubbing as they emerged 5–1 victors on the day.

Even in local football associations (LFAs) inter-LFA tournaments over the years, the Alex XI Ladies have always had the better of their Soweto counterparts, including games in the annual Mayoral Cup competitions.

Alex XI Ladies’ player Masego Ntithe, scored the opening goal of the match in less than 10 minutes of the start of the game.

The move followed a solo effort by enterprising Bluebirds attacking midfielder, Noxolo ‘Zongo’ Gcina, who then made the killer pass to an unmarked Ntithe to bang in her powerful shot in the face of a bewildered keeper.

Soweto XI Ladies too were not in the game like sheep to the slaughter. They fought tirelessly in both halves and had numerous attempts at goal which, if scored, would have turned the game in their favour. One of their many enterprising players was Dollence Maringa. Maringa missed two clear-cut scoring opportunities when she had the keeper at her mercy but decided to balloon both her efforts over the posts.

Another Alex Ladies player, Jane Mkhonza scored the second goal for the Alex XI outfit to seal their victory over the world’s most famous township, which is well-known for its political, social and musical contributions.

The Soweto XI coach sneaked out of the stadium quickly before Alex News could manage to secure an interview, but his Alex counterpart, Malvin Khumalo was ecstatic about the win. “After we humiliated them 5–1 on 11 June in the same competition, we knew when they came here they would be out for revenge and that they were going to beef up their squad to secure a victory,” he said.

“We knew it would not be easy but I am happy the girls played according to instructions and maintained their shape, even under immense pressure, and defended very well, hence we got the result.”