An Orlando Pirates coach has reserved special praise for Kaizer Chiefs and Mamelodi Sundowns following their success at the 2024 Engen Champ of Champs.
Speaking to Soccer Laduma this week, Engen scout Andile Zulu discussed a few talented players he saw this past weekend in the girls' tournament at Marks Park, while he only had good things to say about the ladies' winners Sundowns and the boys' champions Chiefs.
We believe Dimakatsi Ntsiewe from Ixias FC was impressive...
She was one of the strongest players, but unfortunately her team did not go through. She's able to push the team. And when it comes to women's football, you need that leader who will give you the motivation to play and she was always there for the team.
What made Sundowns so much stronger than their opponents?
I'll give credit to the technical team of Sundowns. If you look at their bench, some are ex-pros and some are still playing. So, already it tells us that they know how to win from the national team, there's that habit of winning so when they come here, they understand more, they understand what the team needs to win. And secondly, they've been coached properly. You can tell they know what they want to do.
They have good players. They have a No. 9, a striker who scored the winning goal in the final, they have their captain, who got midfielder of the tournament. Their No. 12 got defender of the tournament. So, you can tell they have good players. Their development structure is good. They deserved to be champions. They gave teams a hard time. They create chances and they score goals!
Can you tell us about Natasha Shokawe from Sister FC?
She is able to read the game well, and she is also a leader of the team. She is able to motivate the team. Technically, she is good, she is able to understand the field positionally. She is always there, and her physique is good.
And a word on David Mathebula? How did Chiefs get it right?
Again, the technical team did well. If you look back, the team didn't start well. They drew their first game, and in second game they were losing 2-0, but they came back from behind to draw. So, the technical team did well to give the players belief after they dropped points in their first two games.
And they came back strong until they got to the final, so as coaches they did well. Credit to them, Mathebula and the whole technical team. They deserved to be champions too. It's not a fluke because they did well in Gauteng with the same squad with some added players, so credit to them!
