Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies continued their sizzling start to the Hollywoodbets Super League as they registered a 4-2 victory over JVW FC on Saturday afternoon.
Goals from Andisiwe Mgcoyi, Zanele Nhlapho, Gabonnelwe Kekana, and Rhoda Mulaudzi were enough to secure the victory as the Brazilians became the first team to inflict a defeat on the Blue diamonds this season.
The top of the table clash delivered fireworks from the get-go with Rhoda Mulaudzi hitting the side netting after just three minutes on the clock. Not long after, in-form Andisiwe Mgcoyi continued her remarkable goal-scoring form with a neat strike for her 10th goal of the season.
A few minutes later, Nompumelelo Nyandeni registered the equaliser with a smart strike from an acute angle. With the game tied at 1-1, both teams launched several attacking forays in a bid to grab the game’s second goal. However, it was Banyana Ba Style who got the breakthrough thanks to a fine penalty from Captain Zanele Nhlapho for her second goal of the campaign.
Andile Dlamini was called into action on a couple of occasions, but the Sundowns’ goalie proved equal to the task with the continental champions going into the break with a hard-fought 2-1 advantage.
After the break, Coach Jerry ‘Kappa’ Tshabalala introduced the dynamic Lelona Daweti for Lerato Kgasago in a tactical move. Consequently, Kappa’s troops enjoyed a lion’s share of the possession with Melinda Kgadiete and Mulaudzi linking up on a couple of occasions.
That combination resulted in a fine move which was finished by Salome Kekana as The Brazilians claimed their third goal of the match. Moments later, the pacy and tireless Mulaudzi made sure of the points with a lovely finish.
Although Nyandeni netted a late goal for her team, Sundowns Ladies had done enough to secure a comprehensive victory over one of the league’s in-form teams. Mulaudzi was full of praise for her side’s tenacity, “It was a wonderful encounter between the league’s top two teams. They gave us a very stern test and I am happy that we showed our class to seal maximum points.”
Andisiwe Mgcoyi who shared last season’s golden boot award with Nompumelelo Nyandeni expressed her excitement after prevailing in the ‘battle of top-scorers’.
“We came into this match with the intention to take our chances because goals win you games. I am glad that we took all three points against a very formidable opponent. This win has given us plenty of belief and we are ready for the next one,” Mgcoyi declared.
Coach Tshabalala was particularly happy with the quality of the football played by both teams which featured six goals.
“It was a game of two halves and we showed our superiority in key areas of the pitch. This was a great advert for women’s football in the Hollywoodbets Super League. I am proud of my charges who displayed great mental fortitude to seal the victory,” Kappa stated.
The 4-2 victory meant Sundowns Ladies have now extended their lead at the top of the Hollywoodbets Super League with 24 points accumulated after 9 games played, four points above JVW FC. The Chloorkop-side has bagged a league-high 42 goals and has conceded seven times and boasts of a mammoth goal difference of +35.
On the goal-scoring front, Andisiwe Mgcoyi leads the Sundowns’ chart with 10 strikes, while Boitumelo Rabale has scored nine times. Miche Minnies and Rhoda Mulaudzi have netted four times each while Gabonnelwe Kekana and Nonhlanhla Mthandi have scored three and two goals respectively.
Up next for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC is a clash against First Touch FC.