Hollywoodbets Super League champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies aim to use their participation in The Women’s Cup to kill two birds with one stone.
Banyana BaStyle are one of the eight teams that are part of this year’s edition of the tournament in the US.
The invitational tournament pits teams from different continents against each other and joining Sundowns this year are Juventus from Italy, Brazil’s Palmeiras, INAC Kobe of Japan, Atletico Madrid from Spain, Colo-Colo from Chile and American sides Racing Louisville and Kansas City.
Masandawana kick off their participation in the tourney against City on Thursday at Missouri’s CPKC Stadium at 03:00 (SA time).
Sundowns Ladies coach Jerry Tshabalala said their participation in the competition is the opportunity to compare women’s African football with the rest of the world.
“It’s very important to gauge ourselves, especially as Africans in terms of seeing how far are we compared to the other continents,” Tshabalala told Pitchside Podcast.
The coach also feels travelling to the US and playing against some of the world’s best teams will encourage young players back home to take football seriously.
“It will also motivate the girls, the younger ones that are coming up, that if I dream big my dreams will come true,” he said.
“They can use Mamelodi Sundowns ladies having been allowed to go and compete there. It’s going to be a huge motivation for the girls.”
The reigning African champions will hope they have prepared well for the tournament that will see them playing in the wee hours, in South African time.
“We decided to let the players sleep during the day and started training around 2 am so that the body can adjust,” Tshabalala said.
“That’s what we have done in terms of preparing for this tournament.”
Sundowns Ladies skipper Zanele Madonsela emphasised that are not in the US to make up the numbers.
“We are here to compete, to challenge ourselves and to leave a mark,” Madonsela said.
“This is a chance for us to show the world what we are capable of and to demonstrate the progress we have made as a team. We know the level of competition will be high, but we are ready to give our all on the pitch.
“We aim to learn from each match, grow stronger as a unit and represent our club and continent with the utmost determination and pride.”
