Haraba: It Is Not Only About The Money

By Malose Wa Ga Lamola

Hollywoodbets Super League has set up a theatre for women's football in South Africa. An action galore series, more of a horror film than a comedy flick. Though, football is less fictional than most of Hollywood films, but it offers the same dramatic content if not more. Heroes and villains, the building blocks of classic tales. Directing a television production bears some similarities to football management. Trying to coax the best out of role players. Coaches are more concerned with numbers on the log standings, so are directors' obsession with viewership. 

A one team dominated league is often referred to as a farmer's league. The dominance of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in the Hollywoodbets Super League puts the women's league in category one of farmers' leagues. Royal AM Ladies mentor, Thato Haraba, argues the notion that Hollywoodbets Super League is a farmers league and is of a view that assumptions lack as much in truth as in any tale. With Sundowns Ladies playing a starring role in the league, it is every team's mission, to become a villain and beat the starring. Though, coming up against the Van Damme, of this league will be more of a blood cacophony clash. Haraba insists that every team wants to beat Banyana Ba Style and win the title. "It is every team's goal whenever the season starts to win the league. Fortunately for Sundowns, they have the quality to win against each team in the league. But, sometimes it takes plenty of resources or whatever you can take out to motivate the players and mostly to make things easy for the coach to improve a team. That's one of the things that limit you as a coach to challenge for championship,”

It will be good to match whatever Sundowns is providing for all these top players in the league. Every so often you'll have a list of players that you want to sign or play in the team, but when the offer comes, and it is coming from Sundowns consider it done. It is also happening on the men's team, with all the quality that they have and the depth, that's basically one thing that makes them tougher to play against.” Argued Haraba.

The meteoric rise of women's football is attracting the corporate world into football. It is unusual for ladies not to be chaperoned. Though, tip-toing into the fast-growing women's league, but sponsorships are coming to the board. Hollywoodbets took over the women's league from the South African Football Association (SAFA) and made a fifty percent increase in the price money. Though, it makes a little difference towards the growth of women's football, clubs can't survive solely from the league's grant. Like a man who is lost in the desert needs water, Hollywoodbets Super League teams need a financial boost. Fate has a way of occasionally throwing a lifeline. Thwihli Thwahla saw World Sports Betting coming on board and injecting a R100, 000 sponsorship for the Pietermaritzburg-based outfit to navigate through the season. 

Haraba is happy to see the sports betting franchise putting its money where its mouth is. “As a coach in this league, I am delighted for these ladies. It is humbling to see big companies coming into the party. Other teams rely on salaries of their bosses. Seeing the likes of World Sports Betting coming to the party, so many sponsors now, it is humbling because it is not only about the money coming into the league but more about changing the lives of these girls. Playing football should be a job for them, it should be a career.” The Mahikeng born mentor said.

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Two of the most prestigious titles in African football are in South Africa. Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies conquered the continent late last year, stamping their authority on the continent, after winning the first edition of the Caf Women's Champions League. Following the success of The Brazilians on the African safari, Desiree Ellis coached Banyana Banyana, managed to win the Women's Africa Cup Of Nations (WAFCON) title. A piece of silverware that has been elusive to the South African senior team for over two decades. 

Haraba credits Hollywoodbets Super League for allowing women footballers to play competitive football, week-in and week-out. He says it expands a pool of players for coach Desiree Ellis and her technical team to select from. “For Banyana Banyana to win the WAFCON, it is a true reflection of how competitive this league is. It was about time. I believe more is still coming towards this league and more is still coming towards these ladies. It really helps when there is competition. It helps coach Desiree Ellis and the entire team to do well in international competitions. Not only that, but it is good that we have this type of competition in the league.” Haraba Applauds.

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Hollywoodbets Super League teams are eager to take part in the upcoming Caf Women's Champions League. The Brazilians have cemented their spot at the Champions League by a virtue of winning the previous edition and finishing second in the COSAFA Caf Women's Champions League qualifiers. Haraba is hopeful that, Sundowns' success on the continent will open a few spots for teams in the Hollywoodbets Super League, to take part on the continental front. Though, several teams competing in the Champions League still leaves a lot to be desired, Haraba, says there is no need to rush the process as things will get better with time. “I wish the teams participating in the Champions League can increase. Now we are going to have two because Sundowns won it last year, and they are automatically qualified. I really think it should be more like the men's tournament, but it is getting there, we should not rush it.” Pleaded Haraba.

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The appointment of Tamia Louw Mpisane as the deputy chairlady of Thwihli Thwahla breeds a new lease of life to women in executive positions in football. With several teams still overlooking women in executive posts, Haraba, says Louw-Mpisane has done well for herself and deserves to be in the boardroom. Louw-Mpisane is a paragon of dolicity and charm. The air around the team contains something, Haraba, has never felt before. Having Shawn Mkhize and Louw-Mpisane within the team is an inspiration the girls need the most. Their presence rubs off positively on the team. 

Haraba elaborated, “All this time, football was seen as a man's sport. It is really nice. Let's be honest, MaMkhize is a role model to the girls. For them to have her as their president is a massive thing. I mean, Tamia, also has done tremendously well for herself. It is really humbling for these ladies to have someone like Tamia as their deputy chairperson. That makes these players comfortable, and it is good for the team.” 

@Lamola_Herold