Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies head into Sunday’s clash against Durban Ladies looking to build on their recent return to winning form and continue sharpening their competitive edge.
With the business end of the Hollywoodbets Super League approaching, and the COSAFA Women’s Championship looming on the horizon, every fixture now carries added importance—not just for points, but for team cohesion, mental sharpness, and confidence.
Following the 2–0 victory over the University of Pretoria in midweek, defender Asanda Hadebe reflected on the team’s performance and what must improve in the next outing.
“We have to win the Durban Ladies match as there is no room for dropping points at this stage of the season. But more importantly, we need to improve our finishing. Against Tuks, we had so many good passages of play, created clear chances, and completely dominated, but we were not as clinical as we should be. Yes, we played well, and yes, it was a good win, but that game should have ended 4-0 or 5-0. We want to keep progressing, and to do that, we must turn dominance into goals. This is part of our journey to becoming more ruthless and mature as a team.”
Another crucial aspect Hadebe emphasized is the importance of starting matches strongly—something the team has been working on in training.
“Dominating early and controlling the game is very important. In women’s football, especially at this level, momentum is everything. When we allow the opposition to grow into the game or gain confidence, it becomes harder to dictate the tempo and create the spaces we need. Falling behind forces us to chase, which disrupts our rhythm. If we come out sharp from the first whistle, control possession, and set the pace, it forces our opponents to react to us, not the other way around. That early pressure is what puts us in command and makes it easier to execute our game plan.”
With key fixtures coming thick and fast—including the COSAFA Women’s Championship, which acts as the qualifier for the CAF Women’s Champions League—Hadebe also highlighted the urgency of building sustained momentum.
“We all know what’s at stake—qualifying for CAF is not just a target; it is an expectation. To meet that goal, we need to be in top form, mentally and physically. Winning now creates belief. It sets a tone in the dressing room and brings out our best football. When the whole squad feels that rhythm—game after game—it pushes us to higher levels. Momentum gives us that edge, that winning mentality, and we will need it in the tournament, where every match is like a final.”
The game between Sundowns Ladies and Durban Ladies will take place on Sunday, 10 August 2025, at Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.
