For the second time in three years, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have completed a clean sweep of domestic and continental titles. This comes after Banyana Ba Style registered a 1-0 win over TS Galaxy Queens in Wednesday’s Hollywoodbets Super League fixture to wrap up a fourth consecutive league crown.
Having already claimed top honors in the CAF Women’s Champions League and the COSAFA Qualifiers, Sundowns Ladies knew a victory would all but secure the title and Andisiwe Mgcoyi’s second-half strike ensured just that.
Captain Zanele Nhlapho, who proudly hoisted the Hollywoodbets Super League trophy alongside her teammates at the end of the game, expressed the significance of the year for the club.
She said, “I am very proud of myself, the girls and the Mamelodi Sundowns family. This year was one of the toughest ever because we faced so many tough teams across the various competitions we participated in and we came out as the best in all of them. By this time last year, we were sad after losing the continental titles, but we bounced back this year and proved our mettle.”
The veteran defender also highlighted the red card she received in last year’s CAF Women’s Champions League Final as a significant turning point in her career.
“What happened last year helped me to grow as a player and as a leader. After the red card, I had to go back to the drawing board to work hard and try to regain my confidence. I am very happy with the transformation of fortunes from last year. I am happy with my contribution to the team’s victories and kudos to the entire team for showing hunger and character from day one,” Nhlapho stated.
Oratile Mokwena also praised the team’s performance against Galaxy Queens despite a very cagey first half.
“We are excited with the way we took our chance after a very tough first half. It was a game we were determined to win to retain our title and we are happy with the victory. We were indeed tested this season by several teams and we are happy with what we have accomplished this year,” Mokwena stated.
Oratile continued by saying, “Overall, it was an exceptional year for us as we made the entire Yellow Nation family proud with our performances. To have all the trophies back with us is such a good feeling. It is never an easy feat to stay on top after getting to the top. Despite the pressure heaped on us in each game, we fought very hard to deliver when it mattered most and for that, I am very proud of everything we have achieved this year.”
Andisiwe Mgcoyi’s strike took her tally for the season to 15 goals, tying her with Melinda Kgadiete on the Sundowns Ladies league scoring chart. Boitumelo Rabale still leads the way with 21 goals, while Miche Minnies has 10 strikes. Both Chuene Morifi and Lebohang Ramalepe are on 6 goals apiece.
A massive congratulations to our Ladies Team for their all-conquering feat yet again!
THis year was a very challenging one mainly because of the pressure of wanting to get back the trophies lost last season but the ladies rose above the challenge and reclaimed what was rightfully ours. We have set the standard and are expected to live by that standard and nothing less. Of course other teams are also catching up to our level but that actually makes us strong and the tough competition we received from UWC, Royal AM, T S Galaxy and the TUT prepared the team for the COSAFA and CAF competition which good for the team. In some instances team we would beat 10 nil or 8 nil the scorelines were reduced to 1 nil 2 nil scorelines an indication that South African football is growing. My wish is to see Fatima Tagnaut of AS FAR and Comfort of Dampem Darkoa joining our team to strengthen it for the forthcoming season. I have faith in our technical team and am sure sure they will strengthen with players with profiles fitting our philosophy
That’s how we do it ladies…I’m your biggest supporter as all the other Sundowns supporters. It was tough with UWC giving us a run…but you guys came through…congrats to the club…Rabale deserves the player of the season