Bragging rights and three points are up for grabs this weekend as Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies square off against TUT Ladies in one of the most eagerly anticipated fixtures on the Hollywoodbets Super League calendar.
The Tshwane Derby, set to take place at the TUT Stadium this Saturday, will showcase two teams with much to prove. The Brazilians, currently leading the league table, aim to extend their remarkable season start to the campaign, having secured 11 wins in 13 games played so far.
Having played in this fixture multiple times, Salome Kekana, who will be facing her former side, expressed what the Tshwane Derby means for the Brazilians.
“The Derby on its own is a big motivation because everyone wants to hold that tag of being the true Queens of Pretoria. It is always more than just a match, but a psychological battle, hence, everyone needs to be ready. We are determined to avoid any upsets and stick to our game plan to showcase our strength and resilience on the field,” the Soshanguve-born player stated.
Despite securing victories in both the home and away Derbies last season with 1-0 scorelines, Salome is convinced that statistics hold little sway in matches of such significance.
“In this fixture, form or records are irrelevant because it is not just about earning points; pride is also on the line. It will not be an easy game because the league is growing fast and every opponent is going the extra mile to win games,” Kekana concluded.
Goalkeeper Andile Dlamini also recognizes the unique significance of the upcoming Derby.
“Every game is big, but the Tshwane Derby goes beyond just points on the scoreboard; it embodies pride and passion and everyone knows the significance of such a fixture. TUT is not an easy team to play against as they are very competitive. In the last two games we played against them, we won 1-0 both home and away, a testament to their competitive spirit that fights till the end,” the goalkeeper stated.
Andile also praised the unity and readiness in camp ahead of the clash, stating, “We are all ready for Saturday’s game as the team has been training hard, We know what is at stake, and we are fully prepared to give our all on the field.”
Banyana Ba Style has dominated the Tshwane Derby in recent times with five wins out of six games played across the last three seasons.
The clash between Sundowns Ladies and TUT Ladies is slated for Saturday, the 8th of June, at the TUT Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.
