Varsity Football Women 2026 kicks off in Pretoria with UJ claiming the only victory

The 2026 Varsity Football Women's tournament kicked off on Saturday at the University of Pretoria and the opening day produced closely contested encounters as WSU and Wits played to a 1-1 draw, while newcomers UL marked their return with a goalless draw against CPUT. The UJ Orange Army were the only side to claim maximum points after edging TUT 1-0 in a repeat of last year’s semi-final, while hosts UP-Tuks were held to a 0-0 draw by defending champions UWC in the day's marquee clash.

WSU 1-1 Wits

Wits and WSU played out an entertaining 1-1 draw to kick off the 2026 FNB Varsity Football Women's tournament. With both teams eager to make an early statement in the competition, the opening fixture lived up to expectations as they produced an exciting and competitive contest.

Neither side was willing to give an inch, showcasing attacking intent and defensive resilience throughout the match before ultimately settling for a share of the spoils in a fitting curtain-raiser to the new season.

Wits and WSU share spoils in a thrilling encounter. WSU and Wits kicked off actions of the 2026 FNB Varsity Football Women. With much expected from the sides to prove their competitiveness, the fixture did not disappoint.

Wits enjoyed possession in the opening minutes, but it was difficult for the Johannesburg outfit to deal with WSU counter attack breaks. Buyisile Khunou's side opened the score sheet with a brilliant finish from Okuhle Mrulwa. Sloppy at the back, Wits failed to clear their lines which saw Mrulwa slotting it in the wide post.

Wits kept asking questions with the East London side staying organised at the back, which did not last long as Wits finally equalised courtesy of Thina Nogcantsi's strike. 

Wits were awarded a free kick on the edge of the box, WSU shot stopper Likona Ngewu failed to gather Aliyaah Allie's shot, the ball fell on the sharp boot of Thina Nogcantsi who slotted it in the bottom corner. 

Wits came close to taking the lead with Mmathapelo Tau's shot cancelled for an offside. Level at the break, WSU 1-1 Wits

The second half delivered no goals however both teams threw everything they had at each other. Wits came back guns blazing and kept asking questions while WSU remained calm at the back. 

WSU came close reclaiming the lead through Nintu Jele, who saw her shot going over the post one-one with the keeper. Wits piled pressure on WSU with signs of cracking their defence however Nogcantsi could not convert two clear-cut chances. 

First a delivery from Nwabisa Qoba, effort blocked before passing the keeper in a one-on-one situation in which the referees added time. Spoils shared in the opening match, WSU 1-1 Wits.

SCORERS

WSU: (1) 1

Okuhle Mrulwa 

Wits: (1) 1

Thina Nogcantsi 

FNB Player of the Match: Angel Shabalala (WSU Women)

TEAMS: 

WSU: Likona Lisakanya Ngewu, Angel Shabalala, Nokulunga Buhle Buthelezi, Lisakhanya Msengana, Esoxolo Nyholo, Lilitha Mjungula, Nintu Jele. Okuhle Mrulwa, Emihle Nase, Lilita Ncwanekazi Mweli, Mandisa Nomfundo Gumede. 

Wits: Nthbiseng Ramaisa, Thalente Ntshiza, Thalente Ntamane, Amogelang Rachelapa, Lusanda Nyathi, Matobane Moshugi, Aliyaah Allie, Nwabisa Qoba, Mmathapelo Tau, Thina Nogcantsi, Imaan Parker.

UL  0-0 CPUT

UL  and CPUT shared the spoils in a goalless draw after a disciplined defensive display from both sides in a closely contested Varsity Football Women encounter. 

The Limpopo side showed early signs of delivering something special with quick attacks and give-and-go's while the Cape side started slowing with limited attacks and remaining compact at the back. 

UL came close to scoring after 20 minutes of play Mmamonyana Selloe's shot went over the bar, before Tshepang Manganye saw her header going straight into the keeper's hands. 

CPUT broke a couple of times in a counter however they did not pose much threat on the Turfloop side. Zilungile Mathiya's long deliveries looked promising with Zozibini Jim and Yandiswa Ndlangamandla firing wide. Level at the interval, UL 0-0 CPUT

The clash saw a slow start in the second half with both teams not asking questions. UL was the first to take the game to CPUT.

UL made promising attacks inside the CPUT half, exploiting the wide areas thanks to Welcome Maphanga's pleasing deliveries, however the Limpopo outfit could not capitalize on crosses fed in the box. 

It was a battle of midfielders with Zilungile Mathiya orchestrating the middle of the park for CPUT, although they spent much of the second stanza in their own half. The Cape side broke on a couple occasions with no results as well. 

With a glance of attack, Zozibini Jim was delivered a spectacular through ball on the edge of the box however UL shot stopper was equal to the task as she blocked Jim's touch to make a crucial save for UL. 

UL kept asking questions however Mmamonyana Selloe could not convert the chances as the encounter finished goalless. 

SCORERS

UL: (0) 0

CPUT: (0) 0

FNB Player of the Match: Zilungile Mathiya (CPUT)

TEAMS:

UL: Mangoako Tebogo, Keetsi, Melida Sekuba, Pitsi Ramasenya, Lisbon Forgive Phakula, Lungile Mlotshwa, Welcome Maphanga, Fiona Namanyana, Mmamonyana Selloe, Keletso Rakgate, Duduzile Mkhonto, Tshepang Shalete Manganye.

CPUT: Thandiswa Gwenteshe, Sinothile Makhanya, Rhulani Mthethwa, Liyema Tom, Kiyhana Daniels, Mosetsanagape Theodorah Leepile, Zilungile Mathiya, Bontle Mkhangwana, Zozibini Jim, Yandiswa Ndlangamandla, Sinelisiwe Phumlomo.

TUT 0-1 UJ

Sbongakonke Mzobe's clinical penalty proved decisive as UJ  edged record champions TUT  1-0 in their opening match of the 2026 FNB Varsity Football Women's tournament. In a closely contested encounter, Mzobe's spot-kick separated the two sides and earned UJ a winning start to their campaign.

TUT tormented UJ in early stages with relentless attacks aiming to get an early lead. Nthabeleng Modiko led UJ remained composed in defence as they absorbed the pressure for most the half. 

TUT's front trio of Mokgaetji Ramanna, Sibongile Ntoane and Nombuso Malesa posed threats at UJ defence, piercing the lines a couple of times, however nothing materialized for the Red Army. 

UJ had their fair chances of stealing the lead, as they started finding their feed late in the half. Malitsatsi Mosala could not convert the aerial deliveries in the box as it was still goalless at the break. 

TUT continued their hunt for the opener while UJ remained composed at the back. The Pretoria West outfit came agonizing close to score twice in successive occasions.  

Nombuso Malesa's header went wide after a lethal delivery before Sibongile Ntoane unleashed a cracker only for her to be denied by the crossbar. 

Things turned upside quickly for TUT after they committed numbers upfront, UJ broke on the counter and shot stopper Mbali Ndlovu committed a foul inside the box. 

Sbongakonke Mzobe stepped and sent the keeper the wrong way to hand UJ a much-needed lead. TUT could not respond as UJ kept calm and sealed a slender 1-0 victory.

SCORERS

TUT: (0) 0

UJ: (0) 1

Sbongakonke Mzobe (P)

FNB Player of the Match: Lindelwa Mabuza

TEAMS: 

TUT: Mbali Ndlovu, Thabiso Senyatsi, Lindiwe Nkambule, Nonzuzo Buthelezi, Nkateko Nkhuna, Palesa Ntsholo, Sibongile Ntoane, Noxolo Ngobe, Nombuso Malesa, Gugu Mabitsela, Mokgaetji Ramanna.

UJ: Matshidiso Masebe, Patience Sekhukhuni, Sthembile Msomi, Ntsandeni Angel Munasi, Kutlwano Maphane, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Sthembile Sandleni, Lindelwa Mabuza, Malitsatsi Mosala, Mpho Dlamini, Ayanda Mnyembane. 

UP- Tuks 0-0 UWC

Hosts UP-Tuks Women held defending champions UWC  to a hard-fought goalless draw in a tightly contested opening-round clash of the 2026 FNB Varsity Football tournament.

Despite UWC entering the match as favourites in search of a fourth consecutive title, Tuks produced a disciplined performance to earn a valuable point.

The opening exchanges saw UWC pressing the Stripe Generation to go ahead early. Vulindlela Biko's troops controlled the tempo in the opening half, coming close to finding the back of the net a couple of occasions. 

Tuks did not give UWC too much respect, as they hauled their attacks, firing two close attempts. 

In an end-to-end stanza UWC were almost awarded a goal. Chelsea Daniels unleashed a cracker in the box which went through Akani Maluleke but to the rescue was Zikhona Mgotywa who cleared it off the line. 

The Western Cape outfit kept asking for more but met an unshaken Tuks defence. Goalless at the break. 

The second half saw a balanced tempo with sides starting slow. UWC broke Tuks defence line but the Pretoria side was up to the task. 

Tuks suffered two injury blows in attack and defence losing Zikhona Mgotywa in the first half and Aphelele Mhlongo early in the second half. UWC looked a better side to take the lead however Tuks remained solid at the back. 

Tuks looked threatening on the wide areas, as they saw their efforts blocked twice from corner kicks. 

SCORERS

UP-Tuks: (0) 0

UWC: (0) 0

FNB Player of the Match: Aphelele Mhlongo (UP-Tuks)

TEAMS: 

UP-Tuks: Akani Maluleke, Sizakel Khumalo, Aphelele Mhlongo, Palesa Hlongwane, Dakarai Zhoya, S’bahle Ndlovu, Shannan Williams, Nthabiseng Mazoeu, Ibanathi Msindo, Nonhlakanipho Filand, Zikhona Mgotywa. 

UWC: Siphesihle Dlamini, Mmabatho Onthatile Joy Mogale, Unathi Simayile, Skye Constance, Tiffany Kortjie, Sinamile Mkhwanazi, Chelsea Daniels, Akholiwe Matsotsi, Thembelihle Zulu, Vuyolwethu Sitshoni, Lisakhanya Magida.

Fixtures: HERE 

Tickets: HERE