Ma Mary-Jane Sokhela is not new in the football fraternity. When she speaks about football, especially women’s football, she speaks with great authority.
Having produced players like Amanda Dlamini, Veronica Phewa to name but just a few, the Durban-based side is known for producing and scouting new talent. Sokhela still believes in proper scouting. She cries for lack of financial muscles or sponsorship which has affected their set up both administratively and in the technical team. “We need a clubhouse, our own training field, and stipend to pay our coaches” she says. Though they have an under 15 side, Sokhela feels Durban Ladies can do more. Sokhela’s vision starts at under 7’s, 9s, 11’s, 13’s and 15’s, who can feed to the first team.
Sokhela has been in football for 31 years, and she understands that sponsors look for accountability and reliability before they back a club. She feels SAFA should look for more help from the corporate world to assist clubs be more competitive like the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns. “Professional league is long overdue in this country. We’ve been overtaken by countries like Morocco, and it’s about time SAFA take women’s football to another level.”
Some players are still scholars, and some are working, Sokhela says, “Lack of sponsorship affects our training and preparations. We don’t train the number of times or days we’d like to. We have played couple of friendlies to prepare for the season, but we know we could’ve done more”
Durban Ladies will be introducing a host of new stars this season to compliment Banyana superstar 18-year old Lonathemba Mhlongo. “I don’t want to talk about individual players because they don’t play alone. There are players who are passing her the ball, helping her on the field. But, I am happy that she has really matured and now understands that football can open more doors for her”
Mamelodi Sundowns, Bloemfontein Celtic, Janine Van Wyk FC have experienced and Banyana players in their disposals. “We are not worried about experienced opponents because we know they started where we are. We are not here with a win at all cost attitude. On the field it’s 11v11. We don’t undermine or fear anyone. We just want to represent our province well, and finish in the Top 2.”
Durban Ladies’ first match of the season is an away trip to East London against Thunderbirds.
You can catch more of their club news and follow their SNWL campaign on their Twitter platform @LadiesWfc
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