Birds hope to turn the corner
ALEXANDRA – Now that the worst is over, Birds coach Malvin Khumalo hopes her girls will start collecting points in their coming games.
After losses at the hands of the two giants of women’s football in this country, Bluebirds hope to turn the corner when they host Sasol League newcomers, Aqua Ladies of Krugersdorp.
That match will be played at the Alexandra Stadium on 1 May, following two of the toughest matches in the opening of the season – one against Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies on 3 April which was deferred to 23 April, while the other was the Palace Super Falcons match played on 16 April.
“I am happy the worst is over and we can also look forward to collecting points. I am confident our home game against Aqua Ladies will be one such match,” said a relieved Birds mentor, Malvin Khumalo, during an interview with Alex News.
But the Birds coach was quick to add that he does not underestimate the Krugersdorp side as they won their local league and are regional champions. He said he was just happy that he was done for now with the two toughest teams of the A-stream of the two-stream Gauteng Sasol Women’s League.
“This sort of gives us a breather and time to regroup and plot a new strategy and way forward for the team. If we can pick some points from now onwards, I am certain the confidence will automatically kick in for my players and we can start seeing positive results,” Khumalo said.
The one thing that he wants to work on as he approaches what could be described as weaker teams of the league, is to harden the stamina of his players to ensure they can endure the pressure.
“I also need to instil a winning mentality in them as we begin games with the not-so-strong teams in the league. If they can have their confidence in these matches and begin collecting points, my work of motivating them will be much easier.
“Winning games and collecting as many points as possible is a motivating factor in itself, and mine will only be fuelling the bonfire,” Khumalo added.
