Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies coach Jerry Tshabalala has taken aim at Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates for their lack of contribution to women’s football in South Africa.
The Soweto giants are yet to establish their women’s soccer teams.
Sundowns have been the feeders of the national team and currently have six players in Banyana Banyana squad at the Fifa Women’s World Cup in Australia and New Zealand.
Speaking to Sunday World recently, Tshabalala said Chiefs and Pirates should not be forced to establish women’s teams as part of their contribution to local women’s football.
“We don’t have to force teams like Chiefs and Pirates to form their women’s teams,” Tshabalala said.
“It must be out of love from all the teams that don’t have women’s football, because what is the use of forming a women’s team when you’re not going to look after it.”
“When you look at what Sundowns, TS Galaxy and other teams have done, especially those that don’t fall under any professional structures, they are there and contributing to women’s football in South Africa.”
“So, if Chiefs and Pirates are to come on board, let them come willingly and not be forced, because sometimes when you force someone to do something, they will not do it out of love.”
Not long ago, Minister of Sport Zizi Kodwa put it out that Chiefs and Pirates must establish their women’s teams as part of developing women’s football in the country.
The Confederation of African Football recently outlined measures that compel clubs to have women’s professional teams as a ticket to participate in the Champions League and Confederations Cup competitions.
Since then, Pirates have been reported to be in talks with Hollywoodbets Super League sides UJ Ladies and Wits University over a potential partnership.
SuperSport United are the latest DStv Premiership side to have a women’s set-up following their partnership with Tshwane University of Technology ladies.
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