The Sunday News
Mbekezeli Ncube, Sports Reporter
FORMER Street Set coach Ayanda Gideon Sibanda has formed his own team that will participate in next season’s Zifa Southern Region Women Soccer League.
Sibanda, who went separate ways with Lee Mangena’s Street Set Football Club said his love for soccer made him form a club in order to promote and develop women soccer in the country. He is naming the club Gideon Ladies Academy.
According to Sibanda, the club is sponsored and funded by Dabambi Private Limited, UK based Orlean Stevens and South African Clothing Private Limited.
“Seeing a girl child having something to do in life is a wonderful thing rather than seeing them sitting at home with nothing to do. I’m also passionate about soccer and I wanted to increase competition in women soccer so as to develop the game in women and girls,” Sibanda said.
The Southern Region women league ended last week and currently have 12 teams. Gideon Ladies will be facing teams like Inline Academy who will be defending their title as well as Hearts of Oaks who ended the season without tasting a defeat.
“We’re now finalising some paperwork and by next week everything will be set, next season we’ll be in the league. For now we’re waiting for the newly elected committee to announce affiliation fees so that we register for next season,” Sibanda said.
The club executive board will be led by Sibanda as chairperson, Orlean Ndlovu will take the chief executive officer post and Noleen Ndlovu becomes secretary-general. Khethiwe Sibanda will handle the treasurer post.
The technical team will see former Street Set coach lead from the sidelines and he will be assisted by Barbara Ndebele.
