Following their first defeat of the season at the hands of Royal AM in their last game, the rejuvenated Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies will be aiming to return to winning ways as they take on City Lads Ladies in the ninth round of the Hollywoodbets Super League.
The fixture presents Banyana Ba Style with an immediate opportunity to make amends after suffering a rare defeat at Tuks Stadium. Nonhlanhla ‘Gaddafi’ Mthandi has declared the upcoming match against Saturday’s opponent as a must-win for the team.
“The loss against Royal AM was a wake-up call for us and we won’t be taking anything for granted against City Lads Ladies. Our team is determined to use this game to turn our season around and we are leaving no stone unturned in our preparation. With the entire dressing room committed to the cause, we are confident of putting in a winning performance. We know that City Lads Ladies are a formidable opponent, but we are focusing on our game plan and staying true to our strengths,” the midfielder stated.
The Brazilians ruthlessly dominated City Lads Ladies last season, thanks to a comprehensive 8-0 victory at home and a 3-0 away victory. Mthandi, who found the back of the net in the one-sided home win, believes that the opponents are much better now than last campaign.
“Our current priority is to secure three points and personal performances against opponents are secondary. This season, we have witnessed how the league has become increasingly unpredictable, rendering previous records irrelevant. Our focus is on capitalizing on our opportunities and scoring goals. Every match in this league is crucial and we cannot underestimate any team,” added Mthandi.
Gaddafi further emphasized the importance of winning Saturday’s game, as it would not only boost the team’s morale but also put smiles on the faces of supporters after a shock defeat in their previous match.
“We understand the significance of our supporters and we aim to give them a reason to cheer. They have stood by us through thick and thin and it’s our responsibility to put in a performance that they can be proud of. We realize that our last defeat was a disappointment to them and we’re determined to respond positively. Our supporters are our 12th player on the pitch and we know that their energy and enthusiasm can make a huge difference to our performance. We value their contribution, and we’ll do everything possible to ensure that we give them a reason to celebrate on Saturday.
City Lads Ladies are currently placed 12th on the Hollywoodbets Super League standings with seven points after playing seven games. The Gqeberha side has won just twice this season, with a 1-0 opening-day victory over TS Galaxy and an emphatic 4-0 away win at Thunderbirds in the sixth round.
The Brazilians, on the other hand, are currently placed second with 19 points, trailing table-topping University of the Western Cape (UWC) by two points, who still have a game in hand.
The match between Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and City Lads Ladies is scheduled to take place on Saturday, April 15th, at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium. The kick-off is scheduled for 15h00.
