Diepkloof Ladies coach identifies positives in opening against Sundowns

The newly promoted side were drawn alongside the champions in the Super Rise group for the new campaign, and will face them first when the league gets underway next weekend. 

Baloyi says it could be a good thing to get the fixture over and done with, and gauge their readiness for the higher level.

"Maybe it's a very good thing that we are starting with the champions so that we can weight ourselves to see how ready we are for this league. It might be a blessing in disguise."

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While they will definitely know more about Sundowns than the other way round, Baloyi was cautious of being over-confident saying that they could change the way they play. 

Godfrey Sapula’s team is littered with Banyana Banyana internationals, with no less than 10 of Desiree Ellis’ squad for the tour of Japan belonging to them. 

The draw has Diepkloof as the away side for the match, but Baloyi admitted that they will feel like the home side as they’ll be playing at UJ Soweto Campus.

"It slightly feels like home because we are playing in Soweto and we are Diepkloof Ladies so maybe that's also Lady Luck on our side. We will bring our A-game on the day and hopefully luck will be on our side."

She added that they enter into the league to compete and to hold their own, but at the same time pacing themselves to get a feel of the kind of level they need to be at going forward.