AmaTuks banking on Thalea Smidt's experience in Hollywoodbets Super League

After two years with reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns, where she won the 2021 Caf Champions League, the central midfielder has returned to AmaTuks on loan for the remainder of the 2023 season. 

AmaTuks have won just four of their nine games in their debut season so far, and Khumalo, who reunites with Smidt, says she’s a welcome addition to the team. 

"I've coached her before, and she played for Tuks before in the Sasol [League] and things like that, so she's not new to me, but she's going to be new to these young ones," said Maude.

"But they are happy to have her, and then the training sessions are going well, as well as the combinations. It's just to add her experience to the players, and just to gel in with the players."

Smidt has struggled for game time at Banyana Ba Style and was a surprise omission in the national team’s trip to Serbia recently. 

Khumalo, a former Banyana Banyana player, believes these last few months have been difficult for Smidt, whom she plans to unleash on their trip to the University of the Western Cape this weekend.

"It's very stressful because, remember, if you look at the likes of Thalea, in nature, she's a top player, and having her in my team, I know she's going to do wonders in the team," she added.

"That's why I say, I'm positive that in the next game, she'll be playing. She's going to gel in so that she can get that game-time. And because, as a coach as well, you need to benefit from her, and she also needs to benefit, so it has to go both ways."