The Hollywoodbets Super League teams have started producing new coaches. Pro Philani takes a look.
Headline Makers
The Hollywoodbets Super League has produced yet another group of coaches coming from the double championship-winning side, Sundowns Ladies.
Strikers Andisiwe Mgcoyi and Rhoda Mulaudzi, together with reigning Africa’s best goalkeeper Andile Dlamini are coaches at the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies under-16 side.
Their under-16 side made headlines when they participated in the Engen Under 18 Cup where they finished in third place behind champions UJ and JVW earlier this year.
It was then that the potential of former captain Agnes Nkosi was seen as invaluable. Nkosi formed part of the technical team of the first Sundowns Ladies side that conquered Africa in 2021. She served as an assistant coach and her progression from player to coach was welcomed by her former teammates.
Vaya Cup Success
The baton to lead this young dynamic side was handed over to another group of stars in the VW Vaya Cup, Andisiwe Mgcoyi, Andile Dlamini and Rhoda Mulaudzi.
Launched this year, the VW Vaya Cup soccer tournament forms part of Volkswagen’s commitment to ‘Drive People Forward’ by providing a platform for young soccer players, to not only showcase their sporting talent but to also provide a framework within which young girls and boys can be further upskilled on and off the field.
Sundowns Ladies under-16’s won VW Vaya Cup in Johannesburg in style as they demolished some of their opponents with heavy score lines. The young Banyana ba Style completed group stages in comfortable fashion, winning first match by a 3-2 score line, and in the next two games they registered comprehensive 4-0 and 7-0 victories.
First team coach Jerry ‘Kappa’ Tshabalala was in attendance to support the junior side. Quoted on Sundowns’ website, Tshabalala said, “I am very excited about the organization of the competition, and I hope we have these kinds of tournaments more frequently because they allow the youngsters to develop faster as well as gain much-needed exposure outside their comfort zones.”
“The more they play in these tournaments, the better for their growth. I am also impressed by the way the young coaches are handling the team and educating the youngsters on how to circulate the ball in key areas as well as rotate the squad. To finish Group A with a perfect record and score 14 goals speaks volumes of the attacking philosophy instilled by Andisiwe, Rhoda and Andile.”
It was then time for the semi-finals and the Sundowns team didn’t disappoint their fans as they won 5-1, and wrapped up the final 1-0.
.@Masandawana youth development sides crowned VW Vaya Cup Champions.
— Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team (@SundownsLadies) December 12, 2022
The U16 girls team was coached by @SundownsLadies trio @RhodaMulaudzi09 @siwewe17 @sticks_andile and @2Nhlapo in full support.
The U13 boys were led by Coach Lunga Nobela.
📲https://t.co/VBjsJOzpUG#Sundowns pic.twitter.com/zq7zOoZt84
What the future holds
Sundowns will look to dominate women’s football with such a competitive young side for a long time as they successfully defended their Hollywoodbets Super League title in style, losing 2 games, drawing 1 and winning 27.
Players like Lumka Qhakeka have had taste of first-team football, and by the time they fully graduate to senior side they will surely have matured as footballers.
JVW & UJ are two other Hollywoodbets Super League teams who have invested in the development of young girls in football.
Indira Albuquerque, Soccer Sponsorship Co-Ordinator at Hollywoodbets says, “It’s good to see more tournaments that cater for the women’s development teams. This will help the growth of grassroots football and bring about more competition for the sides. Soon we also hope that all the teams taking part in the Hollywoodbets Super League can introduce developmental sides so that developing players becomes a constant in the women’s game”
South Africa has seen Desiree Ellis and Simphiwe Dludlu, to name but just a few, graduate from players to coaches at international level.
Ellis led South Africa to TotalEnergies AFCON 2022 glory whilst Dludlu was Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup 2022 runner-up.
Good luck 2 the South African U17 Women & Men National teams. Both teams play the finals of the U17 COSAFA /Region 5 tournament today against Zambia.
— Simphiwe (@Simphiwe_Dludlu) December 11, 2022
14,15,16 yr olds part of these teams❤
We are proud of Coaches Duncan Crowie & Delisile Mbatha. Habashwe today #YouthFootballRocks pic.twitter.com/CFyx8RbAci
