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The Rise of Cimone Sauls: A New Star Shines for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team

 At just 19 years old, Cimone Sauls is already making waves in the world of women's top flight football in South Africa. Born and raised in the vibrant streets of Johannesburg, Sauls developed her love for the beautiful game at a tender age of six while casually playing with boys for fun and entertainment.

Photocred: @SundownsLadies - Twitter

In 2016 Sauls joined the JVW (Janine van Wyk) Football Club as an effort to nurture her talents and develop her football skills. Eight years later, Sauls has become the latest sensation to grace the pitch for Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Team.

In a recent interview, Sauls revealed her reasons for choosing the African Champions side, stating their continous history of success and their commitment to nurturing young talent. “It was an opportunity to be a part of the no.1 team in the Hollywoodbets Super League, a top team on the continent and just being a part of such a successful team is a privilege.” 

“It's really been an exciting journey for me so far and I'm just really happy to be a part of a team like Sundowns. I'm learning and growing each and every day here. Not only is the coach helping me become the best I can, but I also learn a lot from my teammates.”

Photocred: @SundownsLadies - Twitter

In 2019, Sauls was selected to attend a training camp with the U17 national team after her stellar performance in the 2019 VW Vaya Cup, her first female tournament participation at the age of 13-years-old. This golden moment opened more doors for the brilliant midfielder such as being called up to the U20 national team and joining the Banyana Banyana squad on two occasions. 

Photocred: JVW Football Club

Asked to reveal her recent favourite memory shared with her new teammates, Sauls recounted a heartwarming moment during the Hollywoodbets Super League encounter, she said: “My most memorable moment so far has to be scoring my first goal for the club against the University of Johannesburg (UJ).”

“I think what really made me happy was how happy my teammates were for me. It was my first time starting for Sundowns and my teammates encouraged me throughout the whole game. I think I am adjusting quite well to the team and how they play. I'm learning a lot also from players that have been with the team for a while”

Photocred: @SundownsLadies - Twitter

Sauls was amongst the nominees in the Hollywoodbets Super League in 2022 for the Young Player of the Season award and has collected numerous accolades at her former club (JVW) such as Defending Player of the Year for JVW’s First team and receiving the JVW Blue Diamond award. The rising starlet revealed her goals and ambitions for the future as a Sandwana as she takes bold steps in her career.

“I hope to integrate fully and become one of the go-to players for Sundowns! Help them maintain their great winning ways and build on that! Help them to remain the team that everyone aspires to be like!”

“For me, I want to absorb as much as I can and learn as much as I can to become the best I can be. For now I want to be the best I can be for Sundowns. It is every player's dream to play abroad and I hope one day I will play abroad as well!"

Log standings after week 4 of the HollywoodbetsSuperLeague 



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