Unathi Mabena, the coach of Kaizer Chiefs Ladies, expressed optimism about her team’s performance despite a 2-0 loss to Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in their inaugural match of the 2026 Gauteng Women’s Provincial League.
The match drew significant attention and took place at the Tsakane Stadium in Ekurhuleni on Sunday afternoon, marking an important milestone for Amakhosikazi as they donned their club colors for the first time in an official match.
In her post-match remarks, Mabena noted that her players may have shown too much deference to their opponents during critical phases of the game.
“I think the players were trying to see how the opposition would push us.
“We now have to go back to the drawing board, correct our mistakes, and prepare for the next fixture,” said Mabena.
“I think we gave Sundowns too much respect; we allowed them space and got punished.”
Although the result was disappointing, the Chiefs’ coach commended her players for their effort and expressed gratitude to the supporters who turned out in large numbers for the match.
“But other than that, I am happy with the performance and thankful to the fans who came out in numbers to witness the club making history with our ladies playing their first match today,” she added.
The team currently occupies the 13th position on the league table and will now prepare for their upcoming match against JVW.
Mabena sees the defeat as a potential growth opportunity for her newly formed squad.
“We will have to review this match and take note of our mistakes. I think this game served as a wake-up call, which will help us as we prepare for our next fixture against JVW,” she said.
The veteran coach also mentioned that a few players sustained injuries during the match but remains positive about the team’s development as their playing combinations evolve.
“We picked up a couple of injuries and knocks from this game, so we need to make sure the players recover well.
“I am happy with what they brought performance-wise. The combinations are coming together – we just need to fix a few things for the players to build better synergy,” concluded Mabena.
