SEDIBENG.- Something drastic must be done to save women’s football in Sedibeng.
This is an urgent plea from one of the longest-serving women’s football coaches/administrators, Lebamang ‘Mshengu’ Tshabalala.
Tshabalala told Sedibeng Ster Sport that he is concerned about the future of women’s football in Sedibeng. Speaking to Sedibeng Ster Sport, Tshabalala said an attempt to engage SAFA Sedibeng with the future of women’s football in this region was unsuccessful. He said since the departure of the Regional CEO, Beauty Molisi, and Regional League Coordinator, Mandla Dipanyekga, women’s football is dead in Sedibeng. Tshabalala told Sedibeng Ster Sport that there was a regional women’s football league in the past, but nothing is happening now.
He said this is sad considering that this region used to be one of the best in women’s football.
Some of the powerhouses in women’s soccer in this region include Bophelong Ladies FC, Sebokeng Two for Joy Ladies FC, Mighty Stars Ladies FC, Vaal Professional Ladies FC, and Mighty Eagles Ladies FC, to mention but a few. In the past, this region also produced great players for Banyana Banyana. Some of the players representing this region at an international level included Rose Jijane, Refiloe ‘Maestro’ Mathibela, and Mapule ‘Sonono’ Nteso.
“We used to have a women’s regional league, but since Beauty Molise and Mandla Dipanyekga left, it seems no one is interested in women’s football. We tried to engage some individuals within our regional office, but with no success. This is a grave concern for us who have been involved in women’s football for a long time in this region. What have we done to deserve this?”
Tshabalala is pleading with SAFA Sedibeng to rescue women’s football and revive the women’s soccer league in this region.
“It is a disgrace not to have a women’s soccer league. The teams are there, but there is no women’s soccer league to play. I hope somebody will read this and do something about women’s football in this region,” said Tshabalala.
To date, Tshabalala has been involved in football development for quite a long time, both as a coach and a football administrator.
