Duduza – A thrilling encounter between two determined women’s teams, Dream Team and Delmas Prayer Lions, kept spectators on the edge of their seats at Dan Radebe Primary School recently.
According to Dream Team coach Ndaedzo Mbedzi, the match started slowly, with his side struggling to find its rhythm in the opening stages.
“In the first half, the team’s mindset was not fully in the game. About 15 minutes in, we tried to capitalise on attacking opportunities, but we did not manage to score,” he explained.
Despite creating chances, both sides went into halftime locked at 0-0. Mbedzi said he used the break to motivate his players to push past fear and remain focused.
“I urged my players to allow themselves to make mistakes, learn, attack and keep their heads in the game,” he said.
The defence skills were top notch. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
The second half saw a noticeable improvement from Dream Team, who adjusted their game plan and created more opportunities. However, they still struggled to convert those chances into goals, forcing the match into a penalty shootout.
The tension peaked during penalties, where both teams fought hard for victory. In the end, Delmas Prayer Lions lost 3-2 to Dream Team.
Reflecting on the match, Mbedzi expressed disappointment, saying his team was eliminated from the tournament by their opponents the previous year.
“As a coach, I was very disappointed because this team beat us last year and knocked us out. They did the same thing this year.
The ball control was unmatched. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
“We prepared using their strategies, but the game did not go exactly as planned,” Mbedzi mentioned.
He added that the team needs to improve their finishing and overall confidence moving forward.
“Better preparation is to train more, prevent such chances and play better than our opponents.
“We aim to take the cup home to Delmas next year. My players need to gain more confidence, and that is something I will continue to build,” he cited.
Looking ahead, Mbedzi remains determined to strengthen his squad.
Players showcased their skill on the field. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
Delmas Prayer Lions has participated in the tournament three times, consistently finishing in third place, and the coach believes it is time for a breakthrough.
“Next year, we need to do better. We will prepare smarter and harder. We will not lose next year,” Mbedzi added.
The match not only showcased competitive spirit but also highlighted the growing strength and determination of women’s football at the grassroots level in Duduza.
Dream Team coach, December Nhlapo, said the game went well, noting that the two teams fought for a win but technically balanced each other out.
“The first half was very tough for my players.
The Delmas ladies were dominating play, especially in the middle of the pitch.
“I did two substitutions, the goalkeeper and centre midfield, because I could see that we were losing the battle in the middle of the pitch and in goals,” he noted.
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The coach cited that in the second half, they gained strength in the middle of the field. He noted that the team looked to stretch the field using their pace out wide, but Delmas Ladies matched them step for step and came close to snatching a late winner.
In the dying moments, the goalkeeper pulled off a powerful save to deny a powerful strike from Delmas’ number seven.
“I strongly believe the two teams were the toughest in the tournament. It would have been better if they had met in the final.
“My team’s performance was better than the last time we played. Our opponents defended well as a unit and have improved a lot.
“There was a player in the middle, I think she was wearing number four, who showed a great eye for the forward pass.
“Numbers 10 and 7 also gave us a really tough time defensively. I would just like to say to the girls, keep working hard, it will pay off soon,” concluded Nhlapo.
Each team defended the ball preventing opponents from scoring. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
Teams defended their position. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
Players were focused, determind and worked hard. Photo: Nomsa Ngubeni
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