SOCCER: Newcastle Ladies struggle to find the net
Yet despite struggling in the SAFA KwaZulu-Natal Sasol Women’s League, midfielder Celokuhle Mabizela is head and shoulders above the rest.
Article submitted by Sibusiso Mdlalose
Newcastle Ladies FC has struggled to make a big impact this season.
Yet despite struggling in the SAFA KwaZulu-Natal Sasol Women’s League, midfielder Celokuhle Mabizela is head and shoulders above the rest.
Her work rate and never-say-die attitude are hard to overlook.
The industrious 27-year-old is one of the team’s key players, and has helped Newcastle Ladies stage a resurgence in the last matches of the current season.
Mabizela admitted it was a poor season for the local side.
“For the first time since we have played in the Sasol League, we are fighting to secure a top eight berth instead of fighting for the title.”
Mabizela said a lack of regular training and commitment had hindered the team throughout the season, but was enthusiastic the team’s fortunes would improve.
The team showed improvement in its two most recent games.
Newcastle Ladies boasted a four-nil victory over Real United, and then an eight-one thrashing of Ducks Ladies thereafter.
This should boost morale ahead of a clash with Sunflower FC this weekend.
The oSizweni-based side will clash with the current log leaders at the Mpumalanga Regional Stadium at Hammarsdale, on Sunday afternoon.
Here, Mabizela hoped to put her six seasons of experience to the test.
Her interest in football was ignited from a young age, playing street soccer on the dusty streets of Naas Farm near Dannhauser.
Mabizela then tried out for local side, Manchester United.
Despite playing against boys of the same age, she stood out and built up critical soccer skills before earning a place in Wasbank women’s team, Simunye FC.
From there, she advanced to Super Eleven to contest the Safa Women’s Regional League.
Mabizela joined Newcastle Ladies FC six seasons ago, and together with the team earned promotion to the provincial Safa Sasol League.
“It’s every woman football player to play for Banyana Banyana, and I haven’t thrown in a towel that one day I can wear the national team jersey. I will keep working hard at club level as long as I can, until the opportunity comes my way and I grab it with both hands.”
Under the tutelage of team coach and former Banyana midfielder, Desiree Ellis, Mabizela is drawing inspiration to realise her big dreams.
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