After a bruising 0–4 defeat to Wits University FC on Saturday, few expected the Blue Birds Ladies to rise again less than 24 hours later, especially against Sasol Women’s League contender University of Johannesburg FC at the Alex Safe Hub on Sunday.

The home side entered with battered morale, facing an opponent that has done nothing but assert dominance early in the league. Worse still, Blue Birds conceded an early goal, leaving them chasing an equaliser. Throughout the first half, they looked destined for another setback.

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“We started a little bit slower because yesterday we had a terrible game,” coach Malvin Khumalo admitted. “We lost 0–4 to Wits and that was still in the back of their minds. You could see they were a bit afraid to make a mistake.”

That fear lasted only until halftime. Khumalo’s pep talk shook them out of their slump and spurred them forward with intent, as they went on to secure a 3–1 victory over the visiting UJ. “At halftime, that is what we addressed. I said, let’s put that game behind us and focus on what we can do, because we can contest 50/50 with UJ. They are a good team.”

Indeed, UJ had thrashed their last two opponents with nothing less than four goals. In their opening game of the season against Alex-based FC Raycon Ladies, they won 8–2, making a clear statement of intent, but their fortune ran out on Sunday.

Blue Birds’ Thabisile Khumalo took a stellar shot outside the penalty area to give the Birds’ an unexpected equaliser. That was enough to rattle the UJ players, who, less than a minute after restarting play with a kick off from the centre spot, conceded possession, giving the Blue Birds’ Tshiamo Segwatle an opportunity to slot in a second goal.

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UJ fell behind with a single goal as the game turned in Blue Birds’ favour. Still, the home team’s effort to find the net continued relentlessly, though they shared possession with UJ at times.

As the visitors began to race against time, they fought hard to turn their luck, but that fighting spirit was dealt a heavy blow when Blue Birds’ Vangile Mnguni sealed the victory with a third goal, confirming UJ’s fate. “I am happy that we played like this in the second half after a very difficult Saturday. We couldn’t afford to lose today’s game.”

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