Bongeka Gamede lauds UWC players recognition from COSAFA

Despite this being the University of the Western Cape’s maiden experience in the COSAFA tournament, five of their players – including Amogelang Motau, Fikile Magama, Noxolo Cesana and Siphesihle Dlamini, made the selection of best performers in Malawi.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Gamede believes this achievement highlights the exciting times for women’s football in South Africa.

"This is our first time playing COSAFA as a team, this means so much to everyone in the team, not just those who are in the XI," said Gamede.

"Being part of the COSAFA qualifiers best XI is an incredible achievement, and it highlights the exciting times for women's football in South Africa. 

"Having five players in the XI shows that women’s football in SA is growing, and that’s all thanks to the Hollywoodbets [Super] League."

After losing their opening match against FC Ongos Ladies, UWC have managed to turn their fortunes around, with Gamede playing a crucial role – scoring five goals in the group stages to see her team into the semifinals. 

"Reaching the semi-finals is a significant achievement and it's a testament to the hard work and dedication of the team, and don’t forget the amount of work that the technical team has put in," she noted. 

"To reach this stage, the team must have put in a great amount of effort, both physically and mentally, because participating in a competition requires a lot of work, including training, strategising, and perfecting skills.

"It can be physically and mentally demanding, but the sense of accomplishment and pride that comes with achieving success makes it all worthwhile."

Coach Thinasonke Mbuli’s charges finished top of Group A, with six points – ahead of Herentals Queens of Zimbabwe on head-to-head record. 

On Thursday afternoon, the South Africans face Young Buffaloes of eSwatini in the last four, and Gamede believes this match will showcase what they are made of.

"We have played three games without a break, and that takes a lot. The semi-finals are the most exciting stage of the tournament, but also very hard because now it is knockout and the expectations are always high.

"But I know the team will give their all as they did in the past three games, and we also know that this is the game that will take us to the finals, so we have to be at our best and I don’t have any doubt that we will showcase what we are made of," concluded the Banyana Banyana international.