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Inside the Copperbelt Ladies FC Unbeaten Streak and Learning Curves

The 2024 season of the Hollywoodbets Super League kicked off with much anticipation and excitement in March, igniting enthusiasm amongst fans and supporters across the nation. As the teams recently returned from an international break, the spotlight was on Copperbelt Ladies FC, a team making waves as the only side with an unbeaten streak in six consecutive league matches.

Copperbelt Ladies team photo

Intrigued by their remarkable form of three wins and three draws, I sat down with Head Coach Karabo Selabe to look into the secrets behind their success and gain insights into their strategy moving forward. 

"It is good to start well in the Hollywoodbets super league because it gave us confidence and momentum to keep going as a young team like us with limited resources. The hard work that we're putting in during our training sessions drives us to be more consistent. We believe we are a team that believes in hard work."

Copperbelt Ladies Head Coach, Karabo Selabe.

However, amidst the triumphs, there was a humbling defeat—their first of the season and the first blemish on an otherwise flawless record. Coach Selabe's side suffered a 2-0 defeat against TUT Matsatsantsa away from home. The Ladies Coach reflected on the loss and said:

"We lost the the first game of the season and we fully accept it, we take it as learning curve. The plan is clear, we go back to drawing board and rectify our mistakes going forward into our next fixture, we take one game at a time."

Last season at this stage of the competition, Copperbelts had won only two of their six games and registered a win in their seventh league battle. Looking ahead, Coach Selabe outlined the areas of focus for the team.

Copperbelt Ladies Head Coach, Karabo Selabe.

" I think us as a team we need to up our gear because now everyone knows how capable we are, they prepare well because of our five previous games. As a team we will double our effort to remain competitive all the time when we play our league games."

Coach Selabe offered insights into the team's mental preparation for tough matches, emphasizing the importance of resilience and self-belief. "At least now it's our second season in the Hollywoodbets Super League, we know what is expected from us unlike in the previous season."

"Each and every day we emphasize how strong we need to be in this league because it's not an easy league to play. If you are mentally strong then it becomes easy to play games against everyone in the league."

Copperbelt Ladies celebrating a goal during the Hollywoodbets Super League.

Copperebelt was crowned Champions at the 2022 Sasol League National Playoffs after successfully brushing aside the University of Pretoria in a penalty shootout. Navigating the Hollywoodbets Super League terrain was not without its challenges for the Limpopo based team. Coach Selabe acknowledged the obstacles his team comes across when playing on the road.

"The challenge that we are facing is [when playing] Away games because of the travelling, but as I said we are in [our] second season in the league. We try to overcome the situation by being mentally and physically strong as a team."


Copperbelt Ladies are back in action on Sunday, April 21, against the University of Pretoria (TUKS) away.



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