Birds coach dares UJ Ladies to bring it on

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Bluebirds are bubbling with confidence and can’t wait for this weekend’s Sasol Women’s League game against the University of Johannesburg Ladies.

The game is scheduled to be played on Sunday at the dilapidated Alexandra Stadium, with kick-off set for 1pm, and Birds coach, Malvin Khumalo said his charges were oozing with confidence for the match.

“We are aiming for a scintillating performance in this match as we hope to carry on from where we left off in the game against Aqua Ladies last weekend,” said the coach, who indicated they wanted to pick up maximum points as well to ensure their survival in the elite women’s league.

Although the coach does not believe in fixing an unbroken item, he said he might be forced to make a few changes from the team that did a brilliant job in Krugersdorp last weekend.

The coach will be forced to do without recent signing, former Eldorado Ladies player, Deveney Rhoda, who will not be available, along with Morongwa Manamela as they were writing examinations at the High Performance Centre (HPC) in Pretoria.

Another new signing, multi-talented defender Lerato Makhanya of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, will not be able to make her debut as scheduled because she has not arrived for training due to family commitments.

But the good news for the coach is that skillful playmaker and attacking midfielder Noxolo ‘Zongo’ Gcina is back in the team after taking a short break.

She joined her teammates in training midweek and looked so good that she made the starting lineup, the coach said, adding that the team looks in good shape and if all goes well, they should be able to collect maximum points.

Limping goalkeeper Asa Rabalao is likely to begin light training after she was injured three weeks ago. “Notwithstanding all this, I am still confident we have a good squad that can do the job on the day,” Khumalo said.

Sphesihle Madala will be in goals, with Violet Phala as left back, Nthabiseng August and Thoko Mkosi as centre backs, and Edith Smith at right back.

Hero of last weekend’s win against Aqua Ladies, Nonhlanhla ‘Gaddafi’ Mthandi, along with Zimi Xabanisa,Tshwarelo Digaota, Nkosazana Dila, Vangile ‘Nyatama’ Mnguni and possibly Zongo as well, will engineer the midfield.

Upfront will be Natasha Goge, a promising striker who has been banging in the goals since she was promoted from the junior ranks to replace the departed Zingawe Phakathi, who is reportedly still struggling to find a new team.

Read also: Birds bolster squad with three gems

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