Continental champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have had a busy pre-season schedule as the team prepares for the new campaign. In the last few weeks, several first-team regulars alongside a number of youngsters have been involved in several tournaments which have provided the squad with valuable opportunities to prove their mettle to Coach Jerry Tshabalala and his coaching staff ahead of the new season.
Just recently, Sundowns Ladies were involved in the Women’s Diski Challenge which allowed the junior team to battle it out with several other teams in Tembisa. The team which was captained by Khunjulwa Mali also featured some first-team regulars such as Oratile Mokwena, Thembelihle Masibi, Lelona Daweti and goalkeeper Nthabiseng Matshaba.
The tournament provided some fond memories for Coach Agnes ‘Madala’ Nkosi who was on the ground with the team.
“The last time I was at the Mehlareng Stadium in Tembisa, I was the Captain of the Team. Now, I am stepping on the very grounds that channelled my future. I remember vividly how dedicated I was under the leadership of Zanele Nhlapho who was Captain before leaving for Belarus in 2019. I am grateful to see how far I have come and how far I am yet to go in this game,” said Madala.
Sundowns Ladies began the tournament on the front foot, by beating University of the North West Ladies by 4-1. The Brazilians then faced Ma-Indies and played to a 2-2 draw, but went down on penalties 5-3.
Madala was particularly happy with the team’s performance and the much-needed exposure that was obtained during the tourney.
“At this pre-season tournament, I learned so much about the game from different perspectives. I appreciate the undying support from Coach Jerry whose mentorship has been instrumental in my success story. This competition provided me with the first-ever opportunity to see these youngsters showcase their talents on a big stage. Though we lost on penalties, I am happy with the experience garnered by these youngsters. This result will serve as a motivation for them to succeed moving forward,” Madala stated confidently.
The Women’s Diski Challenge was eventually won by the University of Johannesburg who registered a 1-0 victory over Ma-Indies Ladies in the final.
After showcasing her coaching skills to great effect at the COSAFA CAF Women’s Champions League qualifiers and the inaugural edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League last season, Coach Nkosi would be aiming to continue her meteoric rise to managerial stardom in the upcoming season.
