With a name like Excellent, it is no wonder the SD Mabaya Ladies’ club captain delivered a winning performance during their last game on Saturday May 20.
The team registered their first league points against Elister United at the Highway Sports Grounds in Marite, near Hazyview. Both teams came out fighting, having lost their previous games and played their hearts out.
Excellent Khoza scored two goals, helping the Mabayas to obtain a draw in the highly likely-to-win match. Their next game against Fire Stone at Kildare Sports Grounds will be this Saturday May 27. “It was not an easy match for us, as we were playing against tough and experienced opponents on their home ground.
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Their pitch was not in good condition, but we scored our first points. We are now training hard for the next match. As a young squad, we strictly followed the coach’s instructions against Elister and stuck to it until the final whistle,” Khoza said.
Adhering to their coach’s training, they cannot but win. The Kildare side did not have an impressive start at the new regional women’s league season after losing 6-0 against Juventus Sibambayana on May 13. The Mabaya Ladies’ team manager, Angel Mathebula, said they will soon find their winning feet as the girls have adjusted very well to the league conditions.
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“I am pretty sure that we are going to be much stronger in the next few games. Playing against a formidable opponent while we did not have all our players, on a poor pitch, the fact that we managed a draw shows that we have a strong team,” she said.
Elister United midfielder, Thembelihle Dlamini, also scored two goals to ensure her team took home their much-needed one point. Elister lost 10-0 against Absa Sports Academy at their home ground on May 13. Despite wanting revenge, they did not bargain on the grit of the Mabaya Ladies. However, she said they are happy with the draw and intend to win their next game against Juventus on May 27. The coach of the Elister United, Gift Mathebula, said he was happy with the way his girls had played, even though he wanted a win.
“We scored first and I was sure we had the games in our pocket. Winning the league will be the cherry on the cake,” he said.
Both teams appealed to the sponsors to partner with their clubs as they currently do not have any financial backing. “We really need sponsors to assist with travel costs, food parcels for players, soccer boots, training kits and much-needed equipment.”
