Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies tasted defeat in their first-ever match at the 2024 Women’s Cup. The Brazilians aren’t accustomed to being on the losing side, but went down 3-0 to hosts Kansas City Current at the CPKC Stadium in Kansas City, Missouri, in the early hours of Thursday morning, 15 August 2024 (CAT time).
The score demonstrated just how difficult the task at hand was going to be, and it was an uphill battle for the South Africans. The home side scored all three goals in the first half, putting Sundowns Ladies firmly on the back foot against the USA’s National Women’s Soccer League team.
Alex Spaanstra was the first on the scoresheet for Kansas City Current as she netted a stunner from outside the box in the 23rd minute. Michelle Cooper then doubled the lead as she went one-on-one with Sundowns keeper Andile Dlamini and managed to bypass the shot stopper for their second goal.
The Current’s third was another attempt to be admired, Vanessa DiBernardo picked up a short pass from Cooper from the short corner, and managed to get the shot on target to seal the match for her team, minutes before the first half whistle blew.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies’ Lelona Daweti came the closest to scoring but her attempt went wide in the 75th minute. They still have a chance at some glory as the Brazilians will now take on Japanese team Inac Kobe Leonessa in the bronze medal match on Saturday, 17 August 2024.
Before the opening match Sundowns Ladies coach Jerry Tshabalala spoke on Mamelodi Sundowns TV’s YouTube page, saying his team is looking to this competition as one where they can gain more knowledge and skills to add to their arsenal.
“For us as Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, it is a big honour to be invited to such a big tournament. It will be a learning curve for us, we are here to learn a lot from different continents.”
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Head Coach, Jerry Tshabalala
“We have three continents that we are competing against, North America, Asia, and Europe, and coming from Africa it is a privilege for us to be here,” said Tshabalala. “We are going to learn a lot when it comes to tactics from the different technical teams. We will learn from the players we come up against from the different teams. For us, one would say it’s more of a learning curve, and as much as we are the queens of Africa we are humble in just wanting to learn.”
Someone who has seen the growth of the club since its inception has been Zanele Nhlapho. The captain who has been instrumental in the team’s success locally and continentally, now has the chance to guide her team to more triumph, this time on the global stage.
Nhlapo echoed her coach’s sentiments on Mamelodi Sundowns TV’s YouTube page.
“We are here to learn, we have won so many titles with the team and I think it is good for us to come here and compete against the best in the world. We are here to learn and to show the world what we are capable of.”
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Captain, Zanele Nhlapho
“I have been with the club for so long and I have won so many titles, so it good for us to come here and learn from the best teams as well as being able to learn from our role models who in the other teams,” said Nhlapho.
The Pretoria team’s inclusion is not only a first for the Women’s Cup but also signals the first time a South African women’s team will play professionally in the United States. Nhlapho speaking on Mamelodi Sundowns TV’s YouTube page said that her team is well aware of the history they are creating.
“It means a lot to be here for the first time. We are here to represent South Africa and the girls who look up to us. We have people who look up to us so we need to represent them in a good manner.”
“We also have a badge that we are representing so we need to make sure that we showcase our talent and show people what we are made of,” said Nhlapho. “We need to show them what Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies do. We are going to represent ourselves with pride.”
Main Photo Caption: Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies tasted defeat in their first-ever match at the 2024 Women’s Cup. The Brazilians aren’t accustomed to being on the losing side went down 3-0 to hosts Kansas City Current on Thursday morning, 15 August 2024 (South African time) at the CPKC Stadium. The event is in its third edition and runs from 14-17 August 2024. Photo: theKCCurrent on X
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