Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies face Durban Ladies at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium this Saturday in what is their 15th match of this season’s Hollywoodbets Super League.
The Brazilians have enjoyed a bright start to the campaign with 11 wins and currently hold the best scoring record in the league with 58 goals scored and just nine conceded.
Despite the 1-1 draw in the Tshwane Derby against TUT Ladies last time out, goalkeeper Mbali Ntimeni insists the mood in camp remains upbeat.
“As defending champions, bouncing back from setbacks is what makes us who we are. We know the importance of maintaining a positive mindset and staying committed to our goals. Our team is resilient and determined to overcome any challenges we face. We have learned from our mistakes and are ready to prove ourselves in the upcoming match,” Ntimeni stated.
The goalkeeper also highlights what the expectations are ahead of the clash against the Durbanites, “We know they are a strong team and we are preparing for a tough match. Our objective is to dominate the game from the start, maintain our defensive solidity and capitalize on our scoring opportunities. Every player understands their role and is ready to give their best performance.”
Captain Zanele Nhlapho also backed the team to make amends after the shock 1-1 draw last time out: “Everyone was disappointed with the draw; it was not good enough because we were determined to get maximum points. We did apply ourselves and did everything we could to win, but sometimes when it is not your day, it’s not your day. We created lots of good chances but could not convert them. We have been working very hard in training to bounce back and redeem ourselves from that disappointing result last time.”
The King Zwelithini Stadium has been a happy hunting ground for Banyana Ba Style in recent times. Last season, Masandawana hit six past Durban Ladies, with Melinda Kgadiete scoring a hat-trick. Boitumelo Rabale also scored a hat-trick in the 5-0 win the season before. The Brazilians also secured a 3-1 away victory in 2021. Sundowns Ladies have also won every home game against Durban Ladies since 2021, making it six straight wins against their opponents heading into Saturday’s fixture.
Despite the comprehensive record enjoyed in this clash, Captain Zanele is not taking anything for granted: “We have to remain positive and ensure we stay focused on the task at hand. It is an away game and they are always tricky no matter what the statistics say. Everyone is motivated ahead of the game, even the coaches. We need to be soldiers and fight for the badge, ourselves, and the supporters on Saturday.”
The clash between Sundowns Ladies and Durban Ladies is slated for Saturday, the 15th of June, at the King Zwelithini Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 13:00.