20 April 2018 – Head coach of KwaZulu-Natal based club, Sunflowers FC, Siyabonga Malinga says the club has become a beacon of hope for young aspiring women footballers from KZN. The reigning KZN Sasol League champions have grown to become one of the fiercest sides in KZN football, making regular appearances in the National Championships of the league which are held annually.
Malinga who has a passion for developing female footballers says the club will be under more pressure this year as they will be without the services of five of the key players who have been called up by U17 Women’s national team coach, Simphiwe Dludlu for the FIFA U17 Women’s World Cup to be held in Uruguay later this year.
“We are faced with a challenge that is in a way good for the club. Five players from the team will most likely miss out on a number of games should they secure a place in the national team. They have been called up for camp already which means we have to plan without them. This is a good thing for the club and it allows us to introduce new and exciting talent” said Malinga.
The KZN born coach who has a passion for developing female footballers says KZN should be proud of the steady progress of women’s football in the province.
“Looking back at the U17 squad that went to the 2010 Women’s World Cup, there was not a single KZN player and now we have five from the province in camp who may be possibly go to a World Cup. This is a big achievement and we should be proud!”
Sunflowers will not be in action this weekend but resume their campaign next week with a match against newly promoted side, Juventus Ladies.
KZN Sasol League log table – click here