Thunderbirds hitting great heights ahead of friendly

AFTER a stunning performance at the Sasol League Championships held in Mpumalanga last season, Thunderbirds appear to have made themselves a household name in the women soccer community.

The Butterworth-based outfit will on Sunday play an international friendly against Lesotho at Walter Sisulu University, but they first have to honour a league match against Eluhewini Ladies at the Debera Sports Complex on Saturday.

Thunderbirds coach Thembalethu Apleni said their preparations for both games went to plan.

“We respect both teams, but Eluhewini we respect them more, because the game against Lesotho is a friendly game, but even so we are not taking it lightly.

“Because getting a call from the Lesotho national team challenging us means there’s something right we are doing, and that’s why we gladly accepted.

“And I think they must have heard about how we played in the championships and this validates that we are doing a good job,” said Apleni.

Thunderbirds have won all four matches they’ve played in the league so far.

“We have done well so far because we’ve beaten Bashee Eagles Ladies 62. We’ve also won 1-0 against Red Roses.

“And then we went on to beat Manchester Babes 9-1, and last weekend we beat Golden Stars 2-0.

“So we are now on 12 points and we still want to collect more points in the league.

“That’s why every game is important to us and I’m worried about losing some of my regular players.

“I’ve lost two players, Lisakhanya and Zethu Biyana, but I can’t be worried because the squad I have is talented too.”

Other fixtures: Executive Ladies v Sophakama Ladies (Ntabankulu High School), Eastern Rangers FC v University of Fort Hare (New Rest Stadium), Cumakala v Bashee Eagles (Lady Frere Sports field) Manchester Babes v Amanqilo Birds (Jabavu Stadium) Highbury v Ayakha Stars Ladies (Bridgemead Sports Field), Golden Stars v Red Roses Ladies (P E College, Dower Campus) City Lads v Birmingham City (New Brighton Oval Stadium)