After a long hiatus, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are back in Hollywoodbets Super League action. The Brazilians square off against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) FC Ladies at the University of Pretoria Stadium on Sunday.
The last few weeks have been a busy one for the continental champions with seven players going on international duty.
The likes of Andile Dlamini, Karabo Dhlamini, Bambanani Mbane, Thalea Smidt and Melinda Kgadiete were part of the South African side that clinched the 2022 Women’s Africa Cup of Nations in Morocco. Meanwhile, Boseja Sedilame represented Botswana at the tournament while Boitumelo Rabale represented Lesotho at the COSAFA Tournament.
Coach Jerry ‘Kappa’ Tshabalala spoke of his excitement about having the team back in camp after a very successful outing in the last few weeks.
“Our girls made us proud at the Women’s Cup of Nations and it is good to have them back. They were great ambassadors in Morocco and we are hoping to feed off their positive and vibrant energies as we get back to Hollywoodbets Super League action,” Kappa stated.
Last season, the continental champions registered a 2-0 victory at home over their opponents and squeezed out a 1-0 victory on away soil. Coach Jerry believes UJ Ladies are a formidable side that cannot be taken for granted.
“Although we gained the bragging rights over them last term, games against UJ are always tricky encounters. From the days of the SASOL league, they have always been tough to beat. Thus, we are not taking the game lightly because the season has been unpredictable so far. We aim to stick to our game plan in what will be a tough clash,” Coach Jerry concluded.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies are currently topping the Hollywoodbets Super League with 27 points after 10 matches played with nine wins. The Brazilians have scored 46 goals, have conceded seven times, and boast of a goal difference of +39.
Meanwhile, UJ Ladies are placed seventh on the log with 20 points after 12 games played with six wins.
The clash between Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and University of Johannesburg Ladies will take place on Sunday, 31 July 2022, at the University of Pretoria Stadium. The kick-off time for the clash is 15h00.
The fixture will be the last league match before Sundowns Ladies head to the COSAFA Women’s Champions League 2022 zonal qualifier to be held in Durban from August 7-13, 2022.
The current treble-winners have been drawn in Group A and will face debutants Costa Do Sol of Mozambique and last season’s semifinalists Double Action Ladies from Botswana in a mouthwatering line-up.