Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team head coach Jerry Tshabalala has lauded his squad for their unbeaten qualification for the CAF Women’s Champions League semi-finals.
The reigning champions have once again stamped their authority as tournament favourites after scoring 11 goals and conceding only once in their three victories on course to the last-four.
It set up a tantalising tie against Simba Queens in the sem-finals, while Bayelsa Queena will face off against hosts ASFAR – with a chance to revive the opening game in their respective campaigns.
Tshabalala was very complimentary on the effort of his charges as they swept aside TP Mazembe 4-0 on Sunday evening – which he felt was built on their patience and tactical understanding.
“It was a very big game, we knew Mazembe wanted to qualify,” Tshabalala said in the post-match press conference.
“We needed to contain them, we knew they would try and unsettle us and get a goal, but fortunately enough, the plan we have and the players, I spoke to the players and told them in the first few minutes we don’t need to sit back.
“We just had a go at them and that resulted in the first goal but immediately after scoring, I felt we took the foot off the pedal – which allowed Mazembe to come at us. I think credit must go to my defence, the likes of [Mbambanani] Mbane, [Andile] Dlamini made some great saves to keep the team in the game.
“Eventually when we kept on going, in the critical stage, that’s when we managed to punish them. So we stuck to the plan – contained them and happy to top the group.”
