Mamelodi Sundowns launch ladies team film

Mamelodi Sundowns has announced the premiere of their inspirational film, Banyana Ba Style: The First Queens of African Football. The story is dedicated to underlining the struggles that women in football face and celebrates the journey of the Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team as they achieved the historic milestone of claiming the first-ever CAF Women’s Champions League (CAF WCL) title in Cairo, 2021.

SUNDOWNS’ ANTICIPATED FILM

The much-anticipated film will air again on channel 202 at 19h00 Sunday – November 13. The airing will be before the coverage of this year’s Women’s Champions League Final, which kicks off at 21h00.

The feature documentary film follows the team’s incredible journey through the eyes of current players Andile Dlamini, Nonhlanhla Mthandi, Thalea Smidt and Coach Jerry Tshabalala. Additionally, it shows the intimate reality of what it takes to be successful in South African women’s football, highlighting the pressures, pains, successes, hopes and failures.

As we follow their personal journeys, we are afforded the opportunity to get unique insights from journalists, the legendary Banyana Banyana player Portia Modise, and Sundowns chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe. South Africa’s most decorated female footballer, Portia Modise, spoke about her contribution to the film.

“I am proud to have lent my voice to a story that shows the change we want to see in women’s football in South Africa. Caroline, the producer, and the production company, Fell +Co, have told a beautiful story.”

Sundowns chairman, Tlhopie Motsepe, who played a pivotal role in the production, spoke about the reasons behind the creation of the film. “We are incredibly proud to share this film with our supporters and fans of women’s football. We embarked on this journey for two reasons: The first was to promote women’s football in South Africa and tell a story of sporting success that would inspire future generations of female footballers. The second reason was to use the power of storytelling to touch on the challenges female soccer players face and pay homage to the legends who have passionately played a role in developing the women’s game.”

Talking at the pre-screening of the film, Caroline Brouckaert, who made her directorial debut, mentioned the importance of documenting such a story, “As a filmmaker, I’ve always wanted to tell stories that can bring about positive change and help us all feel more connected to one another. I think this film has achieved both of those things. Making this film and getting to know the powerful women of Mamelodi Sundowns Football Club has been a privilege and an honour.”

DEFEND THEIR TITLE

Banyana Ba Style: The First Queens of African Football reveals the vulnerability of the players and their battle towards their CAF WCL victory. The club aims for this film to bring the necessary attention to the potential and struggles that women in sports face and to encourage positive change in football (and the sports industry) for women. Tlhopie Motsepe also shared the optimism that South Africa can be the best in the world if all sectors come together and grow the women’s game. “I hope this heart-warming tale will encourage schools, businesses, brands, and the media to invest and continue their support of women’s football.”

Mamelodi Sundowns is proud to present this film to the world and hopes that the time the film is released will motivate the Ladies to defend their CAF Women’s Champions League title in Morocco. The Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies team faces the home side in Morocco, AS Far, on Sunday at Stade Moulay Abdellah Rabat at 21h00 (SAST).

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