UWC downplays league title race

The new log leaders have only lost two matches in 19 in this season's Hollywoodbets Super League and have been favourites to challenge Mamelodi Sundowns for the title.

The three-time champions led for the majority of the season and only recently relinquished their lead at the top, but have lost a game less. Speaking to SABC Sport, the centre-back claims their primary focus has been protecting their backline, which has allowed only 10 goals.

"The coaches always tell us that in order to win, you have to not concede. So, I think we have managed to do that very well. I think our focus is not to concede but also scoring in that game so that we can win the matches," Gamede said.

Gamede, one of Banyana Banyana's standout players during their historic round of 16 FIFA Women's World Cup campaign, believes the 17 members of the 23-person World Cup squad who are currently playing in the league will benefit from their time in Australia and New Zealand.

"Everyone learnt a lot from the World Cup, people that played, people that didn't play. Us, Banyana Banyana as a whole I think we learnt a lot from the other teams, from the opponents that we played. Players that are playing in the Hollywoodbets, they're gonna take that experience and bring it back to the Hollywoodbets [Super League]. I think that's also gonna help the teams to improve," Gamede added.

UWC may be on track to improve their best finish of runner-up in 2022 when they conceded only 13 goals in 30 matches, but Gamede refuses to look past their next challenge, which includes third-placed Royal AM on the 16th.

"We still have a long way to go. Our goal is to take the game when it comes. We just gonna focus on the game that we are gonna play at that moment and when we get three points we say 'Well done', we look at our mistakes, and we continue to the next game. 

Our focus is to be number one but in order to get there, you must first win the games that you play now because if you focus there you might fall behind."