Ahmed Parker celebrates a successful 2025 HWBSL campaign

This after leading the team to ninth place on the log, with 37 points after 30 matches.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Parker says they exceeded expectations this season by securing 37 points, as they were only aiming for 30.

“From a football perspective we look back at the 2025 season as having been a success. Our aim as a team was to retain our status and we've achieved that comfortably and look forward to building on that platform in 2026.

“We're definitely satisfied with 37 points for the season. Our aim was 30, and having achieved that with around 6 games to go it would have been nice to finish with 40 in our first season, however it wasn't meant to be,” said Parker.

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Parker admits that the team's success this season did not come without challenges. Stating that teams in the Super League find it difficult to deliver when they still have players with full time jobs.

“Whilst it was really nice to be competing with the teams at the highest level in SA, we are still far off being a professional league. The fact that fixtures are only finalised at the start of each week makes it really challenging to plan, especially for away games.

“Also from a financial perspective, it's tough to keep players and coaches inspired to keep going when they are having to work full time jobs, study and be concerned with several off the pitch issues, simply just to live,” added Parker.

The 32-year-old further unpacks what he suggests can help to make sure that the league grows in the near future.

“My prayer is that women's football in South Africa becomes fully professional so that people playing and coaching at the highest can have their basic needs (accommodation, transport and food) taken care of, so that they can spend more of their energy where it matters as a football person: training, playing games, reflecting on those games and improving our football.

"Don't get me wrong, Banyana Banyana are doing really well, but it's in spite of these challenges, rather than it being as a result of the teams having proper support,” added Parker.