Kanatla Ladies off to a perfect start to season with a 8-1 win

KANATLA Ladies FC has sent a strong message to other teams in stream A of the Sasol Women’s League that they will be the team to beat this season, when they hammered Development FC 8-1 in a league match played at the zone 6 sports grounds in Seshego on Saturday.

Nondumiso Shelembe’s brace and a goal each from Meisie Stewart, Ntsoaki Phala, Khomotso Sekele, Jeanet Fischer, Rahaba Mabina and Katlego Selepe were enough to earn the Polokwane-based club their first three points of the campaign, but the score line could have been worse if it was not for the awful finish by the hosts.

Edith Senatla scored a consolation goal for Development FC.

Kanatla Ladies head coach, Mkuseli Godlwana said he had worked on the team’s game-finish since they started with their pre-season training, but the results of his hard work were taking time to show. He said training on a pitch without goalposts was not doing the players any favours. “We are one of the best clubs in the province and a lot is expected from us. The players are under pressure to win every match and sometimes they rush things in order to get goals, missing clear cut chances due to a lack of composure,” Godlwana said.

For Development FC, it is back to the drawing board. The coach, Oupa Tladi said the team did not play badly, but were just outclassed by the best team. He said for the first match of the season, he had an idea of what he must work on going forward. “The players showed some heavy legs and we allowed our opponents too much space and time on the ball. We will take lessons from this game and prepare better for the next match.”

Development FC’s next match is an away trip to Modimolle Ladies FC, while Kanatla Ladies will travel to My Darling village in Senwabarwana for a date with Retladira Ladies FC at Dipitsi ground. Both matches are played on Saturday.