UJ, Wits, Tuks and UWC through to semi-finals

The round-robin matches of the 2023 Women’s Varsity Football tournament are now done and dusted after today’s action at the TUT Stadium in Pretoria.

Defending champions UJ will take on Wits in the first semi-final while the second semi-final will be contested between UP-Tuks and UWC.

UJ 4 DUT 0

Defending champions UJ maintained their unbeaten record with a 4-0 victory over DUT.

The game kicked off with UJ looking a little unsettled with misplaced passes but were quickly able to find their rhythm. The first goal came in the third minute when Kabelo Mokoena made an intelligent run and found herself one on one with the DUT keeper and calmly put the Orange Army 1-0 up. DUT then often failed to give UJ any real scares and just three minutes before the break, UJ struck again. This time a goal-keeping error from Sanele Mnisi saw Sthembile Sandleni pounce on a loose ball at the back post to tap home and double UJ’s lead.

The second half saw both teams ringing up some changes, with UJ giving some of their fringe players some minutes while DUT was looking for some fresh ideas. The half was generally a flat one, with UJ comfortably ahead. There were two late goals for UJ, deep in additional time courtesy of the hard-working Lusanda Mavundla and a well-taken one from Ayesha Moosa.

Scorers: UJ – Kabelo Mokoena, Sthembile Sandleni, Lusanda Mavundla, Ayesha Moosa.

Player of the match: Kabelo Mokoena (UJ)

UJ: Matshidiso Masebe, Kabelo Mokoena, Nokuthula Sekhukhuni, Boitumelo Rasehlo, Lerato Lefa, Sthembile Sandleni, Ayesha Moosa, Shannon Macomo, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Lusanda Mavundla, Yolanda Nduli.

DUT: Sanele Mnisi, Ongeziwe Masango, Sanelisiwe Mjoka, Gugulethu Mdladla, Melokuhle Gxumisa, Xoliswa Ngubane, Zime Buthelezi, Xolile Duma, Wandile Nature Dladla, Thandolwethu Xulu, Nokwanda Xulu.

UWC 5 TUT 1

In a do-or-die group clash, UWC delivered a dazzling performance when they beat TUT 5-1.

The game began with both teams playing at a high tempo, with UWC looking threatening every time they entered TUT’s half. A breakthrough came in the eighth minute when Chelsea Daniels picked up a pass from out wide before curling the ball into the far post to give her team an early lead. Five minutes later, UWC doubled their lead through Nabeelah Galant. She struck again on the stroke of half-time when her initial shot from inside the TUT box cannoned off the upright before she calmly placed the rebound into the net to give UWC a 3-0 lead at the break.

The game resumed with UWC looking to control play and keep TUT at bay. It was however TUT who registered the first goal of the second half when Glanny Mafikeng managed to lob the UWC keeper with the ball coming off the inside of the far post before landing in the net.

In the space of 17 minutes, everything went wrong for TUT with UWC netting a further two goals from Lindokuhle Gladile and Tiffany Kortjie to make it 5-1.

Scorers: UWC – Chelsea Daniels, Nabeelah Galant (2), Lindokuhle Gladile, Tiffany Kortjie.

TUT – Glanny Mafikeng.

Player of the match: Nabeelah Galant (UWC)

UWC: Siphesihle Dlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Fikile Magama, Lindokuhle Gladile, Sinegugu Zondi, Khanyisa Manengela, Katlego Mabuza, Tiffany Kortjie, Nabeelah Galant, Thembelihle Zulu, Chelsea Daniels.

TUT: Glanny Mafikeng, Bophelo Mmatli, Asanda Msuthu, Tshogofatso Motlogelwa, Naledi Thakanyane, Sharol Dineo Ramaoka, Tracey Sibuyi, Nokuthula Tshuma, Yolisa Ntsabo, Mapule Khumalo, Paballo Chela.

WITS 3 UKZN 1

Wits finally tasted victory beating UKZN 3-1. Both sides were seeking maiden victories in this year’s Women’s Varsity Football competition.

Wits cemented themselves as favourites launching the early attacks in the first half. It took Sphesihle Ngalman’s troops 17 minutes to draw first blood through the sharp boot of Ayanda Mnyembane who scored from a brilliant long assist by the goalkeeper. With UKZN starting shakily at the back, Wits capitalised and doubled their lead through a Sakhi Mnomiya shot.

UKZN was not going to give up easily however as they managed to reduce the deficit going into the break through a goal by Sphesihle Fihlela. Wits lead 2-1 at half-time.

The second half began with UKZN posing threats to the Wits defence however their exertions didn’t deliver any goals. Wits proved to be the better side on the day as they produced a solid defence. The Johannesburg outfit was not done as Nthabiseng Ramaisa put home a rebound to cement the first victory for Wits.

Scorers: Wits – Ayanda Mnyemabane, Sakhi Mnomiya, Nthabiseng Ramaisa.

UKZN – Sphesihle Fihlela.

Player of the match: Ayanda Mnyembane (Wits).

Wits: Ayanda Mnyembane, Bridgette Moekwa, Sakhi Mnomiya, Thalente Ntamane, Mahlauli Pitso, Lusanda Nyathi, Francesca Dobrovolsky, Megan Wade, Thalente Ntshiza, Nthabiseng Ramaisa, Magogodi Litlhakanyane

UKZN: Sinenhlahla Mtshali, Noncedo Dlulwakho, Sinalo Fam, Fundiswa Dladla, Gugu Mhlongo, Thobeka Buthelezi, Phumla Nkomo, Silindile Precious Ndlovu, Sphesihle Fihlela, Ntombifuthi Mncube, Bongiwe Xolo.

UP-TUKS 2 UFH 0

UP-Tuks secured their semi-final spot with a 2-0 win over hopeless UFH.

UFH were first to go on the attack but Tuks goalkeeper Kgothatso Manamela denied Sakela Lime’s attempt on the near post. A threatening free kick from the boot of Ngece Nizole also wasn’t successful.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 15th minute when Tuks took full advantage of their first clear chance of the match. Siyamthanda Qashani’s volley from a perfectly delivered cross-handed the Pretoria side the lead.

Tuks came close to doubling their lead late in the first half but their efforts were dealt with effectively by the UFH goalkeeper, limiting them to a slender 1-0 lead at the break.

Tuks came back from the break fully charged as they introduced Banyana Banyana’s Wendy Shongwe. It did not take long for Shongwe to make an impact as she scored a brilliant free kick that secured Tuks’ comfortable win.

Scorers: UP-Tuks - Siyamthanda Qashani, Wendy Shongwe.

Player of the match: Sinamile Mkhwananzi.

UP-Tuks: Kgothatso Manamela, Thando Khubeka, Mmakhgotso Mashishi, Sinamile Mkhwanazi, S’bahle Ndlovu, Relebogile Phala, Betty Mallela, Rethabile Makhwela, Zikhona Mgotywa, Morongwa Manamela, Siyamthanda Qashani.

UFH: Dinwayo Amahle, Ngenelwa Zikhona, Sonkwala Amahle, Zifune Mamela, Zinyusile Bakholise, Jaxa Sesethu, Magqaza Nosikho, Kapiyana Cwayita, Ngcofe Asithandile, Ngece Nizole, Sakela Lime.