A cry for help from Thunderbirds Ladies

The Eastern Cape outfit is bottom of the table in the 16-team Hollywoodbets Super League, and Diko attributes that to their financial struggles.

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Thunderbirds Ladies have failed to win a single match in 18 rounds of fixtures of the 2024 season. They have only three points following draws against First Touch Ladies, Copperbelt Ladies and Durban Ladies. Several teams in the women’s league are in the eye of the storm financially.

''We are trying our level best, we do all the necessary things to make sure that we write to them, we organise meetings for them. But there's still no help for us, but we keep on, we don't have to give up. This really affects our players, that's why they make many errors, it is not that they are unable to play. We just need to work on their confidence,'' said Diko.

Thunderbirds Ladies is based in Butterworth and due to lack of resources in their area, they have to travel long distances even for their home games in Bisho. She explains…

''I don't think we are getting enough support, as Thunderbirds we are based in Butterworth - it is 120 kilometres aways from where we play, because in Butterworth there are no fields - this means we are playing all away games, there is no home game for us, we have to travel even for a home game. That is the support we should be getting especially in our area,'' added Diko.

Diko says their troubles began before the start of the season when the bulk of their experienced players deserted them, and they had to start a rebuilding process.

''We have lost a number of players, of which forced us to start from scratch, even the timing of the players leaving - it was closer to when we were supposed to be doing pre-season. But then we were forced to just take players and we didn't have time to hunt for the right players,'' concluded Diko.

Thunderbirds have scored only eight goals and conceded 68, leaving them with a huge goal difference of -60. Diko says this is making life more difficult as they try to claw their way out of the relegation zone.

Despite their dire situation, the Eastern Cape side is still hopeful and believe they can turn things around.