Thunderbirds have eye on national title

Thunderbirds coach Thembalethu Apleni says going to the Sasol League national championships gives them an opportunity to showcase talent in the province.

Apleni was reacting to the national championships draw that was held at Safa House in Johannesburg on Thursday where the venue of the tournament was also confirmed as Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberley.

The provincial champs, Thunderbirds, have been drawn in group A, which houses North West and TUT Ladies. Group B has Richmond United, Durban Ladies and First Touch Academy. Group C has Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies, University of the Western Cape and Coal City Wizard, who competed at last year’s championships alongside Thunderbirds.

“There’s nothing special about the group we’ve been drawn into because we were expecting anything from the draw.

“This is a chance for our players to get the recognition they deserve, because we are the best talent in this province.

“We have prepared ourselves thoroughly this time around, so we are not fearing any team, although we have not played against those guys,” said Apleni.

He said they wouldn’t put themselves in any kind of pressure as that would be negative mentally for his players before the big showdown.

“We’ve seen North West playing, and I don’t think they will stand in our way of reaching the next stage so we can clinch that title.

“TUT – we don’t have any intelligence on them because they were not in the championships last year. But that’s nothing to worry about.”

With the assistance of the SA Football Association and provincial department of Sport, Recreation, Arts and Culture Thunderbirds will be leaving for Kimberley on the 28th to acclimatise with the weather conditions in Northern Cape.

“This year we are aiming for something better, and we think we are prepared for any club, plus we don’t want to disappoint Eastern Cape.

“As the team we respect all eight opponents – that’s our approach to the tournament.

“We were supposed to be leaving on the 26th but because of logistics that we couldn’t conclude on time we have postponed to the 28th.”

Apleni added: “We want to win that championship title for the people of this province and all the stakeholders that have been with us throughout this journey.

“This is no longer about Thunderbirds, so on behalf of the club’s technical team – Siyanda Mafongosi, Fikile Dubula, Gugulethu Diko and Abongile Dunga – thank you for the support.

“We will do our best to help the players to come back home victorious.”

We have prepared ourselves thoroughly this time around, so we are not fearing any team