Christina Kutumela disappointed as TUT Matsatsantsa fall short of mandate

The Tshwane side, who finished 10th last season, needed victory to keep alive their hopes of breaking into the top half of the table, but narrowly lost 2-1 to TS Galaxy Queens at the Kanyamazane Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday. 

With just two games remaining, TUT are currently 11th – with 29 points, while 10th-placed Richmond Ladies are already on 36 points, and Kutumela was left dejected.

"For us to actually achieve our goal, we had to win this one – as well as the two games that we're actually left with, but unfortunately, today's result actually means that we take a step back, and it might not be possible to reach our mandate," said Kutumela.

"There are some of the things that are, honestly, beyond our control as coaches and managers, but it is what it is. We still continue with the two games we have left, and we're still hoping for positive results."

Despite failing on their mandate, Kutumela believes they had a very good season, considering they assembled an almost-entirely new team.

"Honestly, it really was a great season for us, looking at a team with 60 or 70 per cent [being] new faces, and some of them have never actually played in the Hollywoodbets [Super League] – this was their first time, coming from regional leagues," she added.

"It's really a good start, I could say you're looking at our left-back – this is actually her first season playing left-back, and she's doing amazing. And they [players] are still young, they're still willing to come back and fight for the team.

"We still need to make sure that we fix some things because we can't keep on changing the team over and over, but then we're looking forward to moving forward with the same team that we have, we just need to add here and there so that there can be more goals."

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