SEDIBENG.- Zakes’ Sports Corner has been told that women’s football is gradually going to the dogs in this region.

This columnist was told that women’s soccer league is no longer active in this region as it was in the past.

I was like, What?

How did we end up here, considering that in the past, this region was one of the powerhouses when it came to women’s football?

In those days, this region had several players playing for women’s national teams. This was clear evidence that something positive was happening as far as the development of football in this region. Zakes’ Sports Corner can attest to this. In the past, this region had great women’s soccer teams such as Bophelong Ladies FC, Mighty Stars Ladies, Two For Joy Ladies FC, Mighty Eagles FC, Vaal Professional Ladies FC, and the list is endless.

This was during the days of the Sanlam Women’s League and Vodacom Women’s League.

The question is, what happened?

Zakes’s Sports Corner is aware that the only women’s soccer teams that are active are VUT Ladies FC and NWU Vaal FC because they participate in the Sasol Women’s League. Ironically, back here at home, there is nothing that is happening as far as the women’s soccer league is concerned.

It is sad considering the fact that former Banyana Banyana Captain Refiloe Jane, at one stage, belonged to this region playing for VUT FC Ladies FC. Again, this region had some passionate women football coaches and administrators.

Jabu Khoza was one of the top women’s football administrators from this region. His team, Bophelong Ladies FC, was one of the top women’s soccer teams not only in Sedibeng but in South Africa. The team was a feeder to women’s national soccer teams, especially Banyana Banyana. Rose ‘Pona’ Jijane was one of the best players the club has ever produced, and she went on to represent this country at the highest level of football.

Unfortunately, the same cannot be said now.

But how did we get here?  This is criminal!

HELL no!

Zakes’ Sports Corner blames SAFA Sedibeng for the situation that we find ourselves in – not having a women’s soccer league in this region. As the custodian of football, they must be  held accountable for why the women’s soccer league is not active in Sedibeng.

Zakes’ Sports Corner will say this once again: it is criminal not to have a women’s soccer league. This region deserves better when it comes to women’s football. As things stand, only the RESA women’s soccer team is playing competitively in the Gauteng Development League. However, nothing is happening here at home.

Zakes’ Sports Corner will follow up with SAFA Sedibeng to get to the bottom of this matter.