TS Galaxy Queens makes history by playing in a FIFA World Cup venue

The Mpumalanga side welcomed the Eastern Cape’s Thunderbirds Ladies at the iconic Mbombela Stadium in Nelspruit on Sunday.

As if to celebrate the history-making achievement, The Rockets ran rampant over the relegated visitors, winning 6-0.

Speaking exclusively to SABC Sport, TS Galaxy Queens president Tim Sukazi says bringing the game to the venue was a show of their support for the women’s game.

"It was a great day for South African women's football, in the history of the women's game, it's the first time that a league match at the highest level of the women's game is played in the FIFA 2010 World Cup stadium,” Sukazi said.

“Don't ask me how it has never happened, for so many years, it took this day. So, it's been a very significant day in South African women's football. So, as TS Galaxy, I think we are showing our belief in the women's game. This is one asset that we have as a country, I think we can do a lot more."

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Sukazi says he hopes this gesture will help bring to an end seeing women's football being played in inferior venues.

"To bring it here, it is us saying women's football belongs to football. Women's football is not a stepchild, it's not a necessary inconvenience. Women's football belongs to the game, in our country, as much as the men's team plays in these kinds of venues, our women's team also deserve to play in these kind of venues,” he added.

“So, we have to do whatever it takes, us who are already in the women's game. I'm calling for the likes of Mamelodi Sundowns, I'm calling for the likes of Royal AM to say, let's do a lot more. Let's afford our girls the opportunity to have experience of playing in these types of facilities.

“Now the irony is that when we qualify for the World Cup or the African Nations Cup [WAFCON] as we always do, our girls when they go to these World Cup stadiums, the facilities are like this, the surfaces are like this. Now all of a sudden, they have to adapt, adjust, they're expected to adapt, meanwhile at home we have them but we don't afford them the opportunity to play in these kinds of facilities."