Pro Philani talks to Simphiwe Dudlu on the development of ladies’ soccer at Mamelodi Sundowns – South Africa's first team to win the CAF Women’s Champions League.
Former Banyana Banyana captain and now junior national team coach who also doubles up as a TV pundit, Simphiwe Dludlu, has weighed in on the development and progress which has been made by Andile Dlamini, Rhoda Mulaudzi and Andisiwe Mgcoyi at Mamelodi Sundowns.
The trio were recently appointed the club’s u/16 coaches and have already brought in a VWVaya title to Chloorkop.
Dludlu worked her way up the ranks and showed her acumen when she was tasked with coach Banyana Banyana at the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Cup 2022 in Gqeberha.
“It is really heart-warming to see Mamelodi Sundowns FC take care of their own on both ends, men and women. That’s what we call gender equality.”
The growth of women’s football in South Africa has been steady and the success of Banyana Banyana in Morocco, coupled with the 2021 CAFWCL title won by Sundowns Ladies, has given the sponsors – Hollywoodbets more to be proud of.
Banyana Ba Style, on break!!!
— 10MBA ZWANE (@maetsebane) December 5, 2022
Andisiwe Mgcoyi and Rhoda Mulaudzi continue training the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies development.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have closed for the season. #MSFC 👆 pic.twitter.com/oSVcHBYPOv
“The next thing I want to applaud is the rewarding effort they are providing to these young coaches who are at the peak of their careers. I want encourage these superstar coaches to be open-minded and learn as much as they can; continue with their football education attend coaching courses at the same time.”
More female coaches are coming through in the Hollywoodbets Super League and seeing Sundowns giving their own coaching education shows progress is being made.
“Girls learn even better when coached by their role models. They must brace themselves for good and hard days because youth football needs a lot of patience and teaching. I am proud of the work they are doing; they must continue breaking boundaries.” Concluded Dludlu.
