Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies coach says they need to leave a mark in the USA

The Brazilians, who left on Saturday night for the tournament, are the first African team to be invited to the three-year old competition.

Tshabalala adds that they will have to showcase Africa’s talent on the world stage at club level to open the path for those coming behind.

"It is very important, not only for Sundowns Ladies, not only for South Africa but for the whole of Africa to go out there and prove to the world that in Africa we do have talent, you know,” Tshabalala said.

“Why am I saying it's important? Even the younger ones who will be watching this game, it will be a motivation for them to say, look I need to take my career very, very seriously, if I take my career seriously one day I'll be playing for Mamelodi Sundowns or one day I'll be playing for Kansas City, I'll be scouted by the scout."

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The two-time CAF Women’s Champions League winning coach says the Women’s Cup also affords coaches like him the platform to gauge themselves against their counterparts from around the world.

"We never had this opportunity to gauge ourselves, especially on a club level because we've been seeing this thing only in the national team. So, also at club level it's also an opportunity for us as coaches to be able to gauge ourselves and see how far are we, when we compare ourselves to our counterparts from the Europeans to the Asians. So, it's a great opportunity for everyone," he added.

Sundowns left South Africa on Saturday night and will face hosts Kansas City Current in the opening match of their two-game event in Missouri.

Athlético de Madrid from Spain and INAC Kobe from Japan are also part of the competition.