ANLFA men’s clubs might be forced to field women’s teams
ANLFA says men’s clubs might eventually be compelled to field women’s sides if girls’ football is to survive.
The Alexandra Northrand Local Football Association (ANLFA) might be forced to take a bold decision to address the issue of the decline of girls’ football.
Secretary general Malvin Khumalo said the association may need to adopt a policy that compels senior men’s clubs to also field a women’s side.
Khumalo explained that while men’s soccer continues to thrive, participation in the women’s game has dropped sharply.
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“We had an eight‑team girls’ league. We promoted Electrical Ladies to the National League, then we were left with seven. We patched them to make eight again, and this season, Joburg Ladies were promoted to the regional league. But we are not getting new girls’ teams that are growing,” he said.
The mandate, inspired by the Confédération Africaine de Football’s (CAF) approach, would require every senior men’s team to establish and support a women’s team.
Khumalo believes this could be a game‑changer for Alexandra, ensuring that the women’s game grows alongside the men’s. “That way, it will help us to contribute to developing and expanding the number of girls’ teams,” he stressed.
But the challenge is not only about numbers. Khumalo pointed to the lack of resources and support for women’s clubs.
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“There is less focus, less support, less resources. But I always say the biggest blame should go to women in power, CEOs, managers, company owners, who can contribute to giving another girl child an opportunity.”
He said that Alexandra has many businesswomen who could play a pivotal role in changing the narrative.
“We need more women to support other women for this to grow. Yes, we are crying that there are no women coaches, no women clubs, and there is a lot we need to do to change that. Unfortunately, for us as men, we are the ones driving that process.”
Mandating men’s clubs to field women’s sides would not only stabilise the girls’ league but also embed women’s football into the broader development pipeline.
Without such deliberate action, Khumalo warned, the women’s game risks stagnation while men’s football continues to flourish.
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