FNB Players That Impressed in Varsity Football Women's Group Stages

The start of the 2024 Varsity Women’s Football took center stage on Friday 26 July at TUT Stadium where we saw goals galore as the top teams battled for playoff spots and it was ultimately defending champions UWC and six-time former champs TUT who made it through to the final on 9 August.

During the group stages and the playoffs several players put in outstanding performances that deserve to be recognised. Here are the four who impressed us the most and no doubt had scouts taking notes.

Ronnel Donnelly (UWC) 

Even though UWC took a shock beating in their first match courtesy of UJ, that didn't demotivate the Western Cape-based side. The defending champions turned up the heat in round 2 where Donnelly delivered a memorable perfromance and bagged a brace and the FNB Player of the Match award in their 6-1 win over CUT. It didn't end there as Donnelly was on the scoresheet once again in round 2 claiming back-to-back FNB Player of the Match awards in the 2-0 Cape derby victory over neighbours CPUT before sealing her four goal tally with another stunner in their 5-0 over NWU in round 3. Look out for her in the final on 9 August where she will be crucial if UWC are to defend their title.

Gugu Dhlamini (UJ)

Gugu Dhlamini was outstanding in round 1 and steered her side to a 1-0 victory over the defending champions UWC. Her performance was the highlight of the game as she collected the FNB Player of the Match award for her efforts. Even though she failed to convert from the penalty spot in UJ's 4-0 victory over CPUT, Dhlamini played a huge role in setting up Thato Mogolo for UJ’s fourth goal. The Orange Army didn't make the final, but Dhlamini is definitely one to watch for the future.

Zanile Khoza (NWU) 

NWU forward Zanile Khoza was standout perfromer for the Eagels in all their matches and a key player in their game agaisnt Wits where she opened the scoring and got the ball rolling in their 3-1 victory. Khosa registered her name once again on the scoresheets in the crucial win against UP-Tuks to send NWU into the semifinal against UWC.  

Tshegofatso Motlogelwa (TUT) 

TUT captain Tshegofatso Motlogelwa lead from the front in the group stages as her side hunts for their seventh title. Getting herself on the scoresheet twice in their 2-1 win over UP-Tuks, a performance that saw her awarded the FNB Player of the Match award for her contribution on overall perfromance. She was also was among the scorers in the Red Army 6-0 over Wits before helping her side qualify for the final with a strike against UJ in the semi's. Keep an eye on her when they meet UWC in the final on 9 August where she wil no doubt play a pivotal role.

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