Royal Queens FC to Represent North West in Sasol League National Playoffs
A Bojanala based team, Royal Queens Ladies FC will be heading to Free State where they will be taking part in the Sasol League National Playoffs, hoping to get promoted to Hollywoodbets Super League.
Queens beat The Bold and the Beautiful Ladies 5-2 in the last Match of the Provincial play offs at Montshioa Turf to book their space in the 9 teams battle to be held at Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein from the 16th to the 22nd October. They will lock horns with Mpumalanga's Sasol Juventus and the Winner from Gauteng Province in Group A.
Speaking on behalf of the Coach; Queens Director Tshepang Khumalo said winning the first round of the season without a loss is their 2023 season highlight, as she takes us through their journey in the following conversation.
Please give us the background of the team?
I started running Royal Queens in 2018 with just a status. The name Royal Queens was adopted as I loved how it is biblical and resonates with the vision of the team.
The team is composed of young, talented ladies who are humble and are looking to make something out of their lives. The aim is to develop more than just a football player but a holistic athlete who can apply themselves on and off the football field. The team is led by a young female who comes from a village called Buantswa and sports changed her life. Her passion for sports and people has been the drive to change the lives of many young ladies.
It wasn't easy to get where you are now. Challenges you faced throughout the entire season.?
The biggest challenge was financial. The restrain has caused players to share a small club house that had water and electricity issues constantly.
It has made it challenging to feed players with sufficient nutrients and has limited our abilities to give players professional training and high-class qualified physios and high performance training.
The team has no apparel to look uniform, it has also put a lot of restrain in the running of the team.
What are your 2023 highlights.?
Winning the first round with no losses.
Watching players express themselves of the field of play.
The growth from players on the field.
The confidence of both players and coach the entire season.
The hand of God over us the entire season.
What can we expect from the team in the playoffs?
We can expect hungry, talented players who are ready to take what they have fought so long and hard for. We can expect great football to be displayed by young girls who have dreams to achieve.
Thank you very much and all the best.
Thank you.
Sasol League National Playoffs Groups and Fixtures:
16 - 22 October 2023
GROUP A.
Sasol Juventus (MP)
Gauteng Province (GP)
Royal Queens (NW)
GROUP B.
Royal Wizard (NC)
UFH (EC)
Lindelani Ladies (KZN)
GROUP C.
UCT (WC)
Ramatlaohle (LP)
Ixias (FS)
Fixtures:
17 October:
University of Cape Town vs Ramatlaohle FC
Royal Wizard vs Fort Hare University
Sasol Juventus vs Gauteng
18 October:
Fort Hare University vs Lindelani Ladies
Gauteng vs Royal Queens
Ramatlaohle FC vs Ixias Ladies
19 October:
Royal Queens vs Sasol Juventus
Ixias Ladies vs University of Cape Town
Lindelani Ladies vs Royal Wizards Ladies
Photo: Sasol League Facebook page