Reigning Hollywoodbets Super League champions Sundowns Ladies have returned to training as preparations for the 2023 season have gotten underway. The Brazilians enjoyed a well-deserved break after sealing their third consecutive league title in spectacular style.
Banyana Ba Style reported back to Chloorkop on January 6, for medical tests ahead of the new campaign. Since then, the players and the technical team have had several training sessions as preparations continue to hit top gear.
Several players were excited to be back in training mode including midfield enforcer, Oratile Mokwena.
“I missed playing football and it feels good to be back with the team as we prepare for the new season. I am very excited to train again with my teammates because spending time in the gym cannot be compared to working out with the group. Preseason preparations are usually hectic but highly effective and needed as they condition our bodies and psyches ahead of the hectic season ahead.”
Mokwena further spoke of her personal goals ahead of the upcoming campaign, “I would love to keep my performances at an optimum and consistent level. I am also looking forward to creating more chances from midfield and scoring more goals to help my team to dominate games. It’s going to be a huge season for us because every team in the Hollywoodbets Super League will be aiming to dethrone us. Therefore, I am ready to excel whenever I am called upon because the standards are very high at Mamelodi Sundowns. Retaining our league title and conquering the African continent is at the top of our priorities.”
Chuene Morifi was also particularly happy with the efforts of the technical team to keep the players in shape during the break.
“We are pleased to resume training and I must commend the technical team for outlining a training schedule to keep us fit. The program has helped us to transition smoothly into the rigours of field sessions. So far, everything is going on well as planned and we are looking forward to the more intensive sessions as we prepare for the new season,” said the left-footed dynamo.
Reclaiming the COSAFA Qualifiers trophy and the CAF Women’s Champions League are among Morifi’s targets for next season.
“We are fully aware that opponents are always looking to prove themselves against Sundowns Ladies and this coming season will not be an exception. The objectives for us are quite clear and getting back the continental trophies is a big part of our plans for the upcoming season. On a personal note, I hope to score more goals because they win you games. Last season I scored 6 times and I hope to double that number this time around,” Chuene concluded.
Last year, Sundowns Ladies scored 147 goals across all competitions, winning the Hollywoodbets Super League and reaching the finals of both the COSAFA Qualifiers and the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The Brazilians will be hoping to extend their dominance of the league as well as reclaim the continental crown this year.
Welcome back to training Ladies!!!
Good attitude from the players. I hope each player has personal goals set for the season, however, above all their goals should be aligned to what the team’s ambitions are, which one would assume is to have a treble again which we surrendered by losing in the finals of COSAFA and CAF last year. Wish coach Jery and the supporting technical team all the success in the hectic season ahead