Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies continued their mesmeric start to the Hollywoodbets Super League season with yet another five-star showing in the seventh round of fixtures.
The Brazilians registered a dominant 5-1 win over Thunderbirds Ladies at the Gelvandale Stadium with Andisiwe Mgcoyi smashing in her second hat-trick of the season as Banyana Ba Style returned to the summit of the league standings in style.
The continental champions began the game on the front foot with Khutso Pila firing the first shot on target after just two minutes. Downs continued to knock on their opponents’ door and were eventually rewarded with a penalty as Melinda Kgadiete was brought down at the half-hour mark. Boitumelo Rabale converted the spot-kick with aplomb for her eighth goal of the campaign.
For the remainder of the first half, The Brazilians continued to outmuscle their opponents with Rabale, Kgadiete, and Miche Minnies combining effectively as the first half drew to a close.
At the start of the second half, both Rhoda Mulaudzi and Andisiwe Mgcoyi were brought on for Khutso Pila and Miche Minnies respectively as Coach Jerry ‘Kappa’ Tshabalala reshuffled his team. Those changes reaped instant dividends as Mgcoyi scored two-quick fire goals as Sundowns raced into a three-goal lead.
More changes followed as Thalea Smidt, Boitumelo Rabale, and Melinda Kgadiete were replaced by Oratile Mokwena, Lerato Kgasago, and Thembelihle Masibi respectively as Kappa pushed for more reinforcements.
With time running out, Andisiwe sealed her hat-trick with a fine strike as Sundowns grabbed a 4-0 lead. Despite a late own-goal from Bambanani Mbane, The Brazilians registered their fifth goal of the game courtesy of an own-goal from Ester Ndou as the Sundowns Ladies ran out 5-1 winners.
Thanks to her all-round performance, Gabonnelwe Kekana was adjudged ‘Woman of the Match’ and she dedicated her award to Coach Tshabalala who was celebrating his birthday on game day.
“I am so excited to land this award after a very entertaining game. I feel so honoured to be recognised with the accolade because the entire team played well as a unit. But this award goes to Coach Tshabalala who is a year older today. He has been a wonderful coach and mentor to many of the players on the team. We are always proud to make him happy and this award is dedicated to him on this special day,” Kekana stated.
The 5-1 victory meant Sundowns Ladies have now returned to the summit of the Hollywoodbets Super League with 18 points accumulated after 7 games played. The Brazilians bagged a league-high 36 goals and have conceded just five times and boast of a mammoth goal difference of +31.
On the goal-scoring front, Andisiwe Mgcoyi leads the Sundowns’ chart with nine strikes, Boitumelo Rabale has bagged eight goals while Miche Minnies has netted four times. Rhoda Mulaudzi and Nonhlanhla Mthandi have scored three and two goals respectively.
Up next for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC is a clash against Bloemfontein Celtic FC.
