Bluebirds are hoping to cause the upset of the season against defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns in their opening game of the Sasol Women’s League on 3 April.
Birds coach Malvin Khumalo said he was looking forward to one of the most exciting encounters of this league, describing his players as ‘oozing with confidence’. The game will be played at the Alexandra Stadium with kick-off set for 1pm.
“It’s one of those seasons where your opening match opponent is non-other than the champions themselves and a win for my girls in this clash will do more than any motivation I can ever dish out for any game,” said Khumalo.
“I am certain that if they can win the opener on 3 April, this will ease the burden on my shoulders in terms of motivation for the next matches.”
Sundowns will be without eight of their regular players who are in camp for Banyana Banyana in preparation for the Olympic games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, in August and hence they are all ruled out of playing in the league. “It’s a pity that their sorrow will be our excitement,” he said.
“It happens in football all the time and we just have to capitalise on it to the best of our advantage. I am keeping my fingers crossed that both our matches with them take place without their regulars.”
With the kind of exposure and experience his players gained in the recent JM Busha Women’s Tournament and coupled with a huge sponsorship deal, Khumalo said the girls were raring to go. “I just hope we can cause an upset over the defending champions.”
Khumalo’s squad goes into the opening match with a clean bill of health. “I have a full squad at my disposal, including our number one goalkeeper, Asa Rabalao, who is still sorting out the nitty-gritty of her overseas move,” Khumalo said.
Rabalao is due to move overseas to Hungarian club, Gyor Eto but while she sorts out the issues of her move, Khumalo said they would register her for the league so she could keep playing.
Sundowns, on the other hand, are known to have a lot of depth in their team and this could prove to be a mountain for coach Khumalo and his charges to climb.
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