CHALLENGE ACCEPTED

Amid ongoing lockdown restrictions due to COVID-19, UWC’s women’s football team are strong contenders in the Hollywoodbets Super League

By Thulani Mkosi | Photography: Skhu Nkomphela

A good understanding between the players and the coaching staff’s strategy has propelled the women’s football team at the University of the Western Cape (UWC) to be a serious contender for this season’s Hollywoodbets Super League title.

Before the league was halted due to the third wave of COVID-19, UWC had lost only once after nine matches, having won six and drawn two. It was an impressive run compared to the shortened last season when they ended with just seven victories after 22 matches.

“I think this season, the players know me and know exactly what I want from them,” comments head coach Thinasonke “Thina” Mbuli. “Not just me, but the entire technical team since we were all new last season. This year, the understanding is better.”

Mbuli says the UWC side also had to make a few changes in the positions they previously lacked. “After the previous season, we sat down as the technical team to look at the areas where we needed to improve and highlighted our finishing as an issue that overshadowed our good performances. So we recruited strikers Thambo Linye, Sduduze Dlamini and Abongile Dlani, as well as Amogelang Motau who is an attacking midfielder.”

According to Mbuli, who is also the assistant of the senior national women’s team, Banyana Banyana, the addition of a performance analyst, a full-time team doctor, a physiotherapist and a biokineticist has contributed a great deal to the team’s overall performances.

Of course, it’s never smooth sailing in any team. The coach highlights some of her team’s challenges this season, including having to excuse some of her players from matches due to academic commitments. “The main challenge for us is the balance between education and football. Despite the players having to study online, they still need time off to prepare for exams, complete assignments and write tests. We have also had to leave players behind to complete their university tasks. That just comes with the territory as our core business here is education,” Mbuli says.

In early August, the South African Football Association (SAFA) announced a suspension of the league following a rise in COVID-19 cases. This meant an extended period of non-activity, which, according to Mbuli, could be both a blessing and a curse. “We understand and fully support the decision to suspend the games as we see COVID-19 numbers rising daily. We were doing well as a team so I hope the break doesn’t shut down our momentum and negatively impact our conditioning.

“That said, we have players who were busy with rehabilitation and nursing minor knocks so this break could help us get those players back onto the pitch in time.”

Eighteen-year-old Tiffany Kortjie joined UWC earlier this year as one of the key recruits brought in to bolster the squad’s attacking unit. Kortjie came into the team as a junior international who took pride in representing her country.

“Being in the national team was a fun and fantastic experience. It was difficult as the competition was much higher than I was accustomed to and the intensity was of a high standard as well.

“It really feels good as you become aware that you are representing your country, representing your team, your friends, your family and your hometown.”

It was that international experience that led her to Cape Town to represent UWC at such a young age. The winger, who made her debut in the league against defending champions and current log-leaders Mamelodi Sundowns, and scored her debut goal against JVW FC, has hailed the team’s hard work for their progress thus far.

“This season has been going great and I can honestly say I am proud of the coaches. We have worked hard and aim to achieve a lot this season. The competition is difficult because of the numerous national team players and coaches so you always have to work hard to prove you belong there,” concludes Kortjie.