The first-round matches of the 2024 Women’s Varsity Football tournament started on high after today’s action at the TUT Stadium in Pretoria. Day one brought nothing but the action-packed with iyachesa diski flair of spectacular goals and results with the defending champions UWC stunned by UJ while NWU and TUT smiled after victories.
CPUT 0-1 CUT
The 2024 edition of the Varsity Women’s Football tournament got underway at TUT Stadium on Friday, 26 July with the CPUT from the Western Cape losing out 1-0 against the CUT from the Free State.
The game saw two teams with not much experience in the competition with CUT making a debut in the tournament, while CPUT made an appearance after a lengthy period away.
The first real chance came inside the first 10 minutes, when CPUT played a corner in with CUT shot stopper, Malefa Mantso fumbling the ball, which passed the face of her goal line. Other than that, there was not much threat, which saw the team exchanging possession, but both had to settle for a 0-0 reading of the scoreboard at the break.
The second half saw the game continue in a similar manner as far as it being a tightly contested match up. CUT did however come into their own a little better, stringing passes together a little better, which eventually paid dividends in the 58th minute, when Maleqhwa Mokoena received a well weighted pass that she dispatched past CPUT’s Nonhle Ngema and give her side a 1-0 lead.
CUT then continued to bring on fresh legs out on the park, with CPUT surprisingly not ringing up the changes despite trailing. In the end, CUT was able to hold out and clinch all 3 points in the tournament opener.
Scorers: CUT – Maleqhwa Mokoena
FNB Player of the Match: Keneilwe Nqai (CUT).
CPUT: Nonhle Ngema, Mesuli Bhungalipheli, Zinhle Hlela (C), Fumane Moeti, Sinothando Lirula, Uphile Ngqentsu, Mosetsanagape Theodorah Leepile, Sinelisiwe Phumlomo, Pumelela Mtongana, Truddy Mzinyathi, Anathi Mpama.
CUT: Malefa Mantso, Pontsho Mokgethi, Siyavuya Magoswana, Sesinyane Motlhale, Dimpho Lehasa, Ipeleng Motlhale, Keneilwe Nqai (C), Kefuwe Rampooana, Lebohang Madiboho, Maleqhwa Mokoena, Tebello Hashatsi.
NWU 3-1 Wits
NWU and Wits Women’s Football provided a mouthwatering clash in the second game of the 2024 Varsity Women’s Football tournament group stage, as NWU were able to shrug off a fighting Wits outfit 3-1 and clinch all three points.
NWU had a dream start to the game as Zanile Khoza showed great composure inside the opening 20 seconds of the match to lob Wits goalkeeper, Nthabiseng Ramaisa and give her team an early lead. Wits were then unlucky not to level matters, when they were denied a penalty and then moments later putting the ball in the net before it was chalked off by the officials.
NWU did however get a second goal courtesy of Pholoso Molokwe, who raced inside the Wits half before calmly slotting her shot in at the 31-minute mark. Wits managed to get their own on the brink of the break, when they were awarded a penalty after a foul was committed in the NWU box, Imaan Parker stepped up and put away to see a 2-1 scoreline at the interval.
In the second half NWU were given an opportunity to extend their lead, after awarded a penalty, which Wits shot stopper Ramaisa had no issues keeping her team in with a chance in the game with the score remaining 2-1.
As the game neared the end, NWU had the last laugh as Reboane Mojahe received a pass from Khoza as she tapped in at the back post to secure a 3-1 win.
Scorers:
NWU – Zanile Khoza, Pholoso Molokwe, Rebaone Mojahi.
Wits - Imaan Parker.
FNB Player of the Match: Zanile Khoza (NWU).
NWU: Charlotte Karabo Tshili, Kelebogile Makwela, Hlalefang Moledi (C), Koketso Mathe, Kgomotso Moabelo, Florah Khoza, Palesa Mnguni, Mpho Molwele, Pholoso Molokwe, Zanile Khoza, Rebaone Mojahi.
Wits: Ayanda Mnyembane, Thalente Ntamane, Imaan Parker, Nthabiseng Ramaisa, Lusanda Nyathi, Sakhi Mnomiya, Bacebile Ngema, Sizakele Ndlovu, Magogodi Litlhakanyane, Beyoncé Van Wyk, Lesego Masemola.
UWC 0-1 UJ
Relentless UJ beat defending champions UWC 1-0 in a thrilling encounter. Patience Sekhukhuni’s long range shot was the difference as defending champions UWC opened their 2024 Varsity Women’s Football against UJ in a repeat of the 2023 final.
UJ started the game with high intensity and threatening attacks, on their quest to avenge last year’s final. UWC remained calm and solid in defence, not allowing UJ any real chance at grabbing the lead.
UJ continued to dominate possession and looked dangerous on the wings with Ayesha Moosa and Refilwe Maseko causing problems for the UWC.
The experienced forward combination for UWC in the shape of Chelsea Daniels, Ronnel Donnelly and Nabeelah Galant combined well in the attack. Thinasonke Mbuli’s charges almost got their efforts rewarded when captain Tiffany Kortjie saw her strike denied by the upright in their only chance in the game. The two giants going into the break at nil apiece.
It was the Johannesburg based side that returned rejuvenated in the second half as they grabbed an early lead, Sekhukhuni powered an unquestioned long range shot to hand her side a deserved 1-0 lead.
UWC wandered throughout the second half and their efforts were fruitless. UJ remained relentless in their attack and secured a 1-0 victory.
Scorers: Patience Sekhukhuni (UJ)
FNB Player of the Match: Gugu Dhlamini (UJ).
UWC: Thandeka Ngcobo, Bongeka Gamede, Fikile Magama, Unathi Simayile, Ember Edwards, Vonisiwe Faith Maswanganyi, Akholiwe Matsotsi, Tiffany Kortjie (C), Chelsea Daniels, Ronnel Donnelly, Nabeelah Galant.
UJ: Lerato Lefa, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Gugu Dhlamini, Refilwe Maseko, Ayesha Moosa, Shannon Macomo, Sthembile Sandleni, Mihle Lumko, Thato Mofolo, Patience Sekhukhuni, Matshidiso Masebe.
TUT 2-1 UP-Tuks
TUT captain Tshegofatso Motlogelwa stole the show as her brace secured victory for her side in the Tshwane derby.
TUT played hosts to UP-Tuks in the blockbuster encounter of the night. As anticipated the match up did not disappoint with loads of action as both teams threw everything at each other early in the game. The home side were the first to ask questions as Motlogelwa saw her free kick hit the posts.
Maude Khumalo’s troops responded quickly as they caught TUT napping. TUT failed to clear their line which saw Thembelihle Masibi headed home a dinked cross to hand her an early 1-0 lead.
TUT continued their attack with quick transition football, the Red Army saw their efforts rewarded as they got a penalty in the 20th minute. Trusted with the responsibilities, Motlogelwa stepped up and converted from the spot. The two sides went into the break undivided at 1-1.
In the second half TUT looked a stronger side in counter attack which led to Tuks committing fouls in dangerous areas. TUT finally grabbed the lead for the first time in the dying minutes of the game through Motlogelwa’s free kick which saw Tuks goalkeeper failing to protect the ball as it ended up in the net from her hands, a huge blunder from Khumalo’s trusted last line of defence.
TUT victorious in the end grabbing a slender 2-1 win.
Scorers:
TUT - Tshogofatso Motlogelwa (2)
UP-Tuks - Thembelihle Masibi
FNB Player of the Match: Tshogofatso Motlogelwa (TUT).
TUT: Retshepaone Valencia Ntwayagae, Glanny Mafikeng, Dineo Sharol Ramaoka, Sibongile Ntoane, Mamikgase Senyatsi, Gift Makanya, Mokgaetji Ramanna, Tshogofatso Motlogelwa (C) Ogone Motshabi, Lindiwe Nkambule, Paballo Chela.
UP-Tuks: Kgothatso Manamela, Morongwa Manamela (C), Ntando Phahla, Zikhona Mgotywa, Zikhona Ngenelwa, Ibanathi Msindo, Nonhlakanipho Lucy Filand, Thando Khubeka, Thembelihle Masibi, Tiisang Leseyane, S’Bahle Ndlovu.
Fixtures HERE
Tickets HERE
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