Injury-free Birmingham ready for next victory
BIRMINGHAM City women’s coach Phumza Nqweniso thinks they will be able to tame Eluhewini when the two Sasol League teams meet in a league encounter at Amalinda Fields in East London today.
Nqweniso said they were ready for the game but had injuries that were crippling her squad.
“Viwe Diko, our defender, was out with a knee injury, Amanda Nteyi, our goalkeeper, had a broken arm but now they are both fully recovered.
“Last week, I got a chance to play them and they came through well,” said Nqweniso.
“We don’t know the team we are playing against but we have prepared ourselves thoroughly.
“I want three points from it so that we can move up the log.
“We are in fourth position and we still have games in hand. I think it’s four, so there’s time for us to summit the log standings. That’s the most important thing for us right now.’’
She said her experienced central mid-fielders would do the dirty work of carrying out the offence.
“Sinayo Kupiso, Pinda Pupa, our captain, and our striker Amanda November, will lead our team and guide the younger ones.
“Last week, we beat Golden Stars 3-0 in a high tempo and contested match. It was a difficult game because we were away.
“But the players came out and did their jobs well, especially after the first goal by Amanda November,” said Nqweniso.
More goals followed from Zandile Makupula and Aphelele Mpambani.
“They really impressed us as the coaching staff. They are our strongest wingers and they executed the game plan very well. I think we are ready for this game.”
She said all the teams they had played against had taken them to task but she was more concerned about the teams that were playing in the inland stream during the 2016-17 season.
“We’ve played Red Rose but we still have Ayakha Stars that were in another stream last season.
“We have to try and get maximum points against any team that we go up against.
“We’ve also played against the defending champions Thunderbirds and while they beat us, they also admitted that we were a tough nut to crack,’’ Nqweniso said.
Other fixtures: Cumakala Ladies v Amanqilo Birds (Dumpy Stadium, Komani); Thunderbirds v Highbury (WSU, Ibika Campus); Sophakama v Manchester (Zwide Stadium, PE); City Lads v Eastern Rangers (Chevrolet Stadium, New Brighton, PE); Bashee Eagles v Executive Ladies (Dutywa Stadium); Red Roses v Ayakha Stars (Mount Frere Sports Stadium). The game against University of Fort Hare and Golden Stars has been cancelled.