Tshwarelo Digaota was in fine form as she entertained the small crowd at the Alexandra Stadium with her nimble foot and ball wizardry during their game against Zebra Force ladies which the Birds won 4–1.
Each time Tshwarelo, who came in as a substitute, was on the ball the crowds whistled and ululated when the teenage sensation shone as she put on a scintillating performance that exhibited the depth of her skills on the ball.
She is one of the weaponry in the arsenal of Bluebirds mentor Malvin Trynos Khumalo. With Tshwarelo in the team, Khumalo may not miss the departure of his best striker ever, Zingawe Phakathi, rumoured to have sealed a move to JVW Ladies (Janine van Wyk Ladies, the Banyana Banyana skipper).
Tshwarelo is often touted as the new Zingawe of the Birds and when on song, she hardly disappoints as evidenced in her display against the Mabopane team in which she lived up to her nickname as the ‘New Zingawe’.
“The game was difficult and I kept crying from the bench, itching for an opportunity so I could help my teammates win the game, which I did when I came on and I am happy for all us in the team,” Tshwarelo said.
Before Khumalo offered her the opportunity, Tshwarelo said she kept telling her teammates on the bench if she could be given the opportunity to play, she would score two goals, which she did.
“I hope to work hard in training in order to keep the momentum for our next game against JVW Ladies at home,” she said.
Her captain, Thabile Nene was equally delighted with her performance and said she was humbled by the fact that she captained the winning team in the absence of regular captain, Sisipho Samente. She named the evergreen Noxolo ‘Zongo’ Gcina as the player of the match for her telling runs, crosses and corner kicks, most of which resulted in the goals scored.
Another Birds player who had a fantastic game was Vangile ‘Nyatama’ Mnguni, who could have easily been the leading goalscorer on the day had all her effort seen the back of the net. “I want to work hard at training and improve my game in the hope I repay my teammates and score in our next game.”
Zebras coach Clement Choane congratulated the Birds on their win and said they were the best team on the day. “My girls failed to give cover support for the hardworking Pride Nthite. I had instructed them to ensure they covered her when she took on the Birds defenders so that she could have been creative and find the openings, as she did with that single goal,” Choane said.
