National women’s tourney blessed with sets of twins
Fans seeing double the talent at games
South African football has seen a rise in the number of siblings over the years but having twins playing for the same club is a rare sight indeed.
The ongoing Sasol League National Championship in Mpumalanga is not only blessed with one set of twins but the six-day women’s tournament at Kabokweni Stadium has seen three sets.
Sphumelele and Thubelihle Shamase, 15, of KwaZulu-Natal side Sunflowers have scored three goals between them in two matches, with Sphumelele netting twice.
Cape Town Roses twins Sinoxolo and Noxolo Cesane, 18, played a pivotal role in making sure their side advanced to the semifinals.
Sinoxolo, a striker, scored a brace in their 6-0 humiliation of De Scorpions yesterday. Her midfielder sister started off the bench.
Kanatla Ladies of Limpopo has the 21-year-old Mnisi twins. Tebogo is a midfielder while her sister Kedibone plays in defence.
One of the Shamase sisters, Thubelihle, aims to use the national championship to learn.
“Playing in this tournament will help us grow because we play against players from all over the country,” said Thubelihle, a right-winger.
The Shamase sisters are in Grade 10 at Waterloo High School in Durban and are both SA Under-17 team members.
Sphumelele says she finds it difficult to play without her twin Thubelihle.
“Our combination works well. We started playing together when we were seven years old,” said Sphumelele.
Yesterday’s Results
Roses 6, Scorpions 0; Kanatla 1, Celtic 3; Thurnderbirds 2, Wizards 2
Semis Draw (Today)
Roses v Wizards, 1.30pm . Celtic v Thurnderbirds, 3.45pm.