SAFA Head of Women's Football Dawn Lubisi has reacted to Kaizer Chiefs finally playing their first official match in the Gauteng Women's provincial league against Mamelodi Sundowns over the weekend.
Chiefs Ladies lost 2-0 to Sundowns on Sunday afternoon at Tsakane stadium but the large crowd at the stadium was the major talking point, as Lubisi suggested that she has never seen such a turnout in a women's game.
Read: ‘What Chiefs Entering Women's Game Does…’
"Women's football has arrived! I think this shows that there is an interest, we can get the people to come and support, it's a matter of how we go about it; I think we can learn a thing or two from this match obviously," Lubisi said, speaking to SAFA media.
"I stand to be corrected but the turnout for women's football on our side is historic, we have not had such a large turnout, so I think this is a step in the right direction, the match today just proved that," Lubisi continued.
"Kaizer Chiefs entering the landscape of women's football is basically screaming to corporate South Africa that women's football is a premium, bankable product. So we're hoping that with them now, obviously Mamelodi Sundowns has been around for quite some time and have been supporting women's football.
"But with Kaizer Chiefs coming through as well, I hope it signals to other clubs that it is worth investing in and it also signals to corporate South Africa to say it is definitely worth investing in. The ladies that are playing here, this is more than just a hobby for them, it is actually a career for most of them."
Amakhosi Marketing and Commercial Director Jessica Motaung, who was present at the match, also weighed in.
"Very special day, significant for women's football, not just for Kaizer Chiefs, proud of the ladies, first time a Kaizer Chiefs team (playing an official match) against Sundowns, a Sundowns that has been in the league, so very proud that they could hold their own, not a great scoreline but a great start," Motaung said.
Read: Insight on Chiefs Ladies First Ever Match As They Run Riot
"South African women's football is taking a new trajectory with us now in the Gauteng league and ready to take it to the next level.
"I think one of the largest attendances for a women's game, so making history in that regard, so just proud of the Kaizer Chiefs supporters, even Sundowns supporters and just Tsakane, people coming out in numbers and understanding that the women's game is here in the community," Motaung concluded.
Continue with Matchday Global
Source: Soccer Laduma
