Sasol Sponsorship manager, Dean Somerset, has been impressed by the talent at the 2021 Sasol League National Championship taking place at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban. The nine-team tournament continued to display quality football with loads of goals. Somerset feels this is a good hunting ground for national selectors.
“There’s a lot of talent that’s out here among these nine teams and the one thing that we can say is that women’s football is in a healthy space. We can see the upcoming stars – I don’t think we are short of stars in any position in the field of play. We are grateful for the fact that an opportunity has been presented to these young players, so that the representation of the national team that is in attendance scouting for the national team, can notice them. We sincerely hope that after this tournament, coach Desiree (Ellis) will have to consider some of these players as part of their growth and graduation into Banyana Banyana,” says Somerset.
The champions and runners-up of the Sasol League National Championship will also gain promotion to the Hollywoodbets Super League and Somerset is glad that there is another corporate company on board to promote and expand women’s football in the country.
“At Sasol, we’ve always asked for more corporate support from corporate South Africa and we are very grateful that Hollywoodbets came on board to partner with us within women’s football. Reality is everybody has a role to play, and we all participate in the value chain of women’s football. Hollywoodbets and their role within their Super League is very different to our role within both Banyana Banyana and the Sasol League. Collectively we make a difference to women’s football in South Africa. We are grateful for that. I ask that more corporates come on board as we try to level the playing field for women’s football in South Africa,” adds Somerset.
Somerset says the standard of football at the ongoing Sasol League National Championship is impressive. Day two continued to exhibit stellar goals with a total of 12 Goals from three matches. Northern Cape’s Royal Wizards became the first team to be eliminated after they conceded 20 goals in total from their two matches. Debutants Vasco da Gama of the Western Cape thrashed the Kabelo Setlogelo side 8-1.
Experience counted a lot for newcomers, Croesus Ladies which boasts former Sasol sponsored Banyana Banyana players such as Thokozile Mndaweni, Mpho Rammala and Simphiwe Masina. The Gauteng side walked away victorious over North West’s Tswelelang De’ Scorpion with 2-0 goals courtesy of Rammala, to go on top of Group B with three points.
Hosting team, Lindelani Ladies opened their National League campaign with a 3-1 triumph over Limpopo’s Copperbelt Ladies. National Under-20, Basetsana, player, Zethembiso Vilakazi scored a brace becoming the sixth player in the competition to find the net twice in a match. City Lads’ Onelisa Nanasele still leads the pack with four goals. Koketso Koko got the solitary goal for Copperbelt Ladies.
