Jerry Tshabalala highlights key gaps in Sundowns Ladies after US Women’s tourney
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies coach Jerry Tshabalala has highlighted his team’s deficiencies exposed during the Women’s Cup tourney in the USA.
While other championship-winning teams in the COSAFA zone are battling in the zonal qualifiers of the CAF Women’s Champions League, title holders Mamelodi Sundowns were being tested in the USA.
They gained automatic entry into the fourth edition of the CAF Women’s Champions League after winning their second CAF Women’s Champions League.
In the USA, they played against tournament hosts Kansas City and Inac Kobe FC of Japan.
Unfortunately, they were at the receiving end after losing 3-0 to the hosts before Inac Kobe FC beat them 2-0 on Sunday. As such, the two-time African Champions ended the tournament without a win.
WHAT MAMELODI SUNDOWNS LADIES’ COACH SAID
However, coach Tshabalala says the losing experience was an eye-opener. He highlighted the deficiencies exposed during the tournament played in the USA. Infact, the veteran coach is optimistic of better strides as they shift focus to their domestic campaign.
Moreso, they will hope to fine-tune their arsenal for the CAF Women’s Champions League title defense later this year.
“You know, playing against Kansas City and INAC Kobe was a game-changer for us because it pushed us beyond our comfort zone and showed us where we needed to improve,” said Tshabalala.
“Competing against teams of this calibre highlighted both our strengths and areas that needed fine-tuning.
“One such area is in our defensive organisation. The pace and precision of our opponents exposed gaps that we need to address if we are to maintain our dominance back home and on the continent.”
They won their second CAF Women’s Champions League last season after beating Morocco’s SC Casablanca 3-0 in the final played in Cote d’Ivoire.
Tshabalala added: “We are heading back home with a burning desire to have this kind of exposure more frequently to enable us to keep pace with the top teams globally.
“Competing against high-calibre opponents is crucial for our growth, and it is the only way we can truly measure ourselves against the best. These experiences not only challenge us but also inspire us to elevate our game and continue improving.”
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