Mamelodi Sundowns continued their sizzling start to the season thanks to a superb 5-0 win over Durban Ladies at the King Zwelithini Stadium on Saturday afternoon.
A stunning first-half hat-trick from Boitumelo Rabale coupled with goals from Khunjulwa Mali and Zanele Nhlapho saw The Brazilians triumph in style to maintain their perfect start to the Hollywoodbets Super League.
The reigning champions confidently began the game with Chuene Morifi and Miche Minnies showing their class early on. However, it was make-shift striker Boitumelo Rabale who opened the scoring for the high-flying Tshwane side.
Banyana Ba Style continued to exert their dominance in every area of the pitch and Rabale was on hand to double her tally before sealing her treble in a magnificent first-half performance. The hat-trick took her tally for the season to five goals, whilst maintaining her record of scoring in every game this season.
After the break, Banyana Ba Style continued to dominate proceedings with Khunjulwa Mali getting on the score sheet to continue her rich vein of form this season. Hat-trick hero Boitumelo Rabale was then replaced by Sphesihle Magazi, while Chuene Morifi and Lerato Kgasago departed for Karabo Dlamini and Thembelihle Masibi respectively as Coach Jerry ‘Kappa’ Tshabalala reshuffled the pack.
With 20 minutes to go, more changes were made with Miche Minnies and Nhlanhla Mthandi paving the way for Lumka Qhekeka and Thalea Smidt. Captain Zanele Nhlapho wrapped up a perfect afternoon for the continental champions with a close-range finish as Sundowns Ladies made it three wins out of three games played thus far.
Coach Tshabalala was full of praise for his young side who delivered the goods despite making several changes to the starting line-up.
“It was a deserved victory for us as we showed our patience in the early stages of the match. Our opponents came with a sturdy game plan, but once we found our rhythm, we were unstoppable. It’s a long season for us and it was necessary to allow the younger players to prove themselves and they duly delivered. About 60 to 70 percent of the players in the starting line-ups were youngsters. That goes a long way in showing our strength in depth. It also shows that the technical team is doing something right,” Kappa stated.
The five-star performance meant Sundowns Ladies have now collected the maximum points from their first three games of the season. The Brazilians have scored 18 goals and have conceded just once.
On the scoring front, Boitumelo Rabale leads the Sundowns’ goal chart with five goals, Andisiwe Mgcoyi has four strikes to her name while Miche Minnies has three goals.
Up next for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC is a clash against City Lads Ladies.
