Sundowns Ladies delivered a superb performance to get back to winning ways in the Hollywoodbets Super League as they registered an emphatic 5-1 over TUT Ladies Football Club in the highly anticipated Tshwane Derby.
Goals from Lerato Kgasago, Rhoda Mulaudzi, Karabo Dhlamini, Gabonnelwe Kekana, and Nonhlanhla Mthandi were enough to hand the reigning champions a comprehensive five-star victory.
In the build-up to the game, Coach Jerry ‘Kappa’ Tshabalala backed his troops to make amends for their shock loss against the University of the Western Cape (UWC) Ladies. The Brazilians heeded that call and began the game on the front foot with Lerato Kgasago opening the scoring for the day.
Rhoda Mulaudzi and Andisiwe Mgcoyi showed their class after that with several mazy runs down the flanks. That unsettled the defence of the opponents and not long after, Mulaudzi popped up with the second goal of the game and her third strike of the season.
The Brazilians continued to apply the pressure and were duly rewarded with their third goal of the match just before the halftime whistle thanks to the tenacious Karabo Dhlamini who slotted in her second goal of the season.
After the break, Kappa’s charges resumed proceedings where they left off by dominating both territory and possession. However, a miscommunication at the backline allowed Miss Sethunya to pull one back for TUT Ladies.
Banyana Ba Style then looked to the bench for more reinforcements with goalscorer Lerato Kgasago and Tiisetso ‘Bastos’ Makhubela exiting the pitch for Thalea Smidt and Gabonnelwe Kekana respectively.
Sundowns Ladies continued to exert their dominance late in the game with Kekana scoring against her former side to make it 4-1 before Nonhlanhla Mthandi netted Downs fifth to seal a comprehensive 5-1 victory.
Coach Jerry was full of praise for his side who put their last defeat behind in scintillating style to clinch the Tshwane Derby.
“There were several mistakes we made last time out and we were looking to make amends in the Tshwane Derby and we did just that. Our pressing abilities were evident for all to see as we showed our hunger and desire throughout the game. The team showed their character today and we are proud that we got our rhythm back,” Kappa stated.
Woman of the match, Oratile Mokwena spoke on how the team is looking to build on the momentum after dominating the Tshwane Derby.
“I am very happy to receive this award, but most importantly, I am excited that we got back to winning ways after the last defeat we suffered. We had to respond after that loss and that was our mandate from the kick-off. It’s a long season and I am glad that we are back to our best and we need to build on this morale-boosting result,” said Oratile.
With JVW FC and UWC playing to a goalless draw in the Battle of the Blues at Sturrock Park, Sundowns Ladies are now just one point behind JVW FC at the top of the Hollywoodbets Super League standings. The Brazilians have amassed 15 points from six games and have scored a league-high 32 goals.
On the goal-scoring front, Boitumelo Rabale leads the Sundowns’ chart with seven goals, Andisiwe Mgcoyi has bagged six strikes while Miche Minnies has netted four times. Rhoda Mulaudzi and Nonhlanhla Mthandi have scored three and two goals respectively.
Up next for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC is a clash against Thunderbirds Ladies.
