Title race pressure catches Blue Birds
Pressure of title race catches up with Blue Birds, coach admits
Blue Birds ladies coach Malvin Khumalo says the weight of chasing a first-ever league title is starting to show in his side’s form.
This came after his team slumped to a third straight match without a win in a 1–3 defeat to Mito Stars Ladies FC. “I think we are tipping in our performance. I’m not seeing us having a performance that shows what we did in the first round. The confidence’s down, then we lose the third game now.”
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He linked the dip directly to the unfamiliar demands of competing near the top of the SAFA Women’s Provincial League table. “At three games without a win, players are starting to feel that pressure. We are in the top five, one of the teams that are competing for the league, and it’s our first time in this position. Psychologically, players are under too much pressure.”
The impact of that pressure was seen at the Alex Safe Hub on August 15, when Blue Birds looked set to extend their positive start after converting a free kick from near the halfway line to take an early lead, but the promising opening did not last. Khumalo said the warning signs were flagged at half-time, particularly around Mito Stars’ midfield pairing. “Mito ladies have the two centre midfielders that were building up play and combining well.” He admitted it was a problem Blue Birds struggled to solve.
Also read: Blue Birds bounce back with seven-goal rout
Mito Stars came out for the second half with intent, pushing forward aggressively until Akhona Madidimale equalised. Alwande Qwabe then beat Blue Birds goalkeeper Gugulethu Pitso to put the visitors ahead, before Kgothatso Tsoabise added a third late on to complete the turnaround.
Khumalo pointed to a tactical trade-off as the difference-maker. “Most of the time, when we put forth our creative midfielders, we sacrifice our defensive capabilities there. They strengthened that part on their end, and it cancelled out what we had. As a result, we lost the midfield battle.”
Despite the loss, as of August 15, Blue Birds were fifth on the log with 35 points, while Mito Stars were eighth with 26 points.
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