Head coach Jerry Tshabalala had plenty of praise for highly-rated teenager Asanda Hadebe, who put in an impressive performance on debut as Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies delivered a 7-0 hammering of Lindelani Ladies.
The Brazilians cemented their place at the top of the Hollywoodbets SuperLeague with an eye-watering 7-0 scoreline over Lindelani Ladies at UJ Soweto Campus on Sunday.
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While Miche Minnies helped herself to a hat-trick, in addition to Refilwe Rabale's brace, two more goals came from an own goal and Kekana strike.
Hammarsdale-born Hadebe, who had been unveiled as the latest Sundowns signing at the start of March, grabbed an assist on debut.
Speaking exclusively to KickOff after Saturday's match, Tshabalala explained the significance of the 19-year-old's arrival at Chloorkop.
"Asanda gave us something we lacked in the team. If you have a player that can play as left wing-back and also play as more of a left winger and be offensive," Tshabalala said.
"Credit should go to the technical team in terms of the players that we have brought to the team.
"She (Hadebe) created lots of scoring opportunities, it was just a pity that we didn't convert, but overall, it's her first game and she has already impressed. It shows the players that they have to fight for their positions.
"Remember in that position, we have Karabo Dlamini, we have Salome Kekana and we also have Chuene Morifi and we definitely need that kind of depth and I'm excited to see the younger ones," he added.
??REACTIONS: Coach Jerry Tshabalala and Asanda Hadebe take us through the ladies' emphatic triumph.#SundownsLadies #HWBSL pic.twitter.com/nZqsiJbCJD
— Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team (@SundownsLadies) April 15, 2024
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Hadebe also spoke to KickOff on her debut.
"Despite the scoreline, I wouldn't say it was an easy game, we had to stay focused throughout the 90 and not get lazy," Hadebe added.
"But I think I played well, alight I have some things to improve on and should have scored that tap-in.
"The coach just told me to relax and not panic, everything will happen in time. The more I call for the ball, the faster I will be able to communicate with my teammates and get used to the intensity.
Hadebe joined Sundowns from lower division outfit Sunflower Ladies. She becomes the latest recruit in what is seemingly a clean sweep of the country's young talents as fellow teenager Nthabiseng Majiaya was also signed to Downs just weeks prior to Hadebe's arrival.
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