UWC, TUT soar to 2024 Varsity Women’s Football final

A dramatic round four of the women's Varsity Football 2024 tournament saw UWC book themselves a spot in the final after an emphatic 5-0 victory over NWU and they will face the six-time champions TUT, who needed penalties to advance.

The Red Army defeated UJ 4-2 in a penalty shootout after their semifinal ended 1-1 at fulltime. The day also saw playoff wins for UP-Tuks and Wits.

NWU 0-5 UWC

UWC found themselves in another final, after picking up a clinical 5-0 victory over the NWU in the first 2024 Varsity Women’s Football semifinal at the TUT Stadium.

UWC made their intentions in the game clear from kick off, putting the NWU defence under pressure from all angles.

The early attempts from UWC also saw one of them cannon off the crossbar, showing early cracks in the NWU defence who were forced deep in their half. The deadlock was however only broken in the 36th minute, where UWC’s Bongeka Gamede rifled in a stunning free kick into the back of the net, that came from a hand ball.

The lead was doubled a minute later with Ronnel Donnelly getting her sixth goal of the tournament, leading UWC to a two-goal deficit at the break.

The second half saw NWU exposed for their lack of depth, not showing much change in their approach to the game. UWC continued to control proceedings, moving the ball at free will and looked threatening with the set pieces. The ladies from the Western Cape eventually extended their lead in the 50th minute, when Chelsea Daniels nodded in from the far post to make it 3-0. UWC inflicted more pain on NWU, scoring a further two goals courtesy of Aakifah Adams and an unfortunate own goal from Kelebogile Makwela, with UWC clinching the first spot in the final with a 5-0 win.

SCORERS: Bongeka Gamede, Ronnel Donnelly, Chelsea Daniels, Aakifah Adams, Kelebogile Galeboe (og).

FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Tiffany Kortjie (UWC).

NWU: Charlotte Karabo Tshili, Kelebogile Makwela, Hlalefang Moledi, Kelebogile Galeboe, Florah Khoza, Kgomotso Moabelo, Lerato Monate, Mpho Molwele, Precious Tsupane, Zanile Khoza, Rebaone Mojahi.

UWC: Thandeka Ngcobo, Unathi Simayile, Bongeka Gamede, Fikile Magama, Ember Edwards, Vonisiwe Faith Maswanganyi, Kearah Gentry, Akholiwe Matsotsi, Tiffany Kortjie, Chelsea Daniels, Ronnel Donnelly.

UJ 1-1 TUT (2-4)

TUT booked their spot in the final, beating the UJ 4-2 on penalties after the game ended 1-1 in the 90 minutes of play.

Although the two teams had to settle for a 0-0 scoreline at the break, both looked impressive with UJ enjoying the slight edge over TUT. UJ were however hit with a curve ball, when they lost influential player Shannon Macomo to a knee injury.

The absence of Macomo did not keep them down for long though as Gugu Dhlamini came close to stunning TUT, with an impressive strike from distance that hit the crossbar.

At the break, both teams had to go find other ways with the score at 0-0.The resumption of play saw the game remain at a fairly high tempo, with the crowd bringing the noise with every close scoring opportunity. TUT were however the first to put the ball in the net through Tshogofatso Motlogelwo, who stroked the ball in from close range to make it 1-0.

The joy was however short lived as UJ hit back 2 minutes later with Thato Mofolo scoring from an awkward angle to make it 1-1. That is how the match ended at the final whistle, with penalties having to separate the two teams.

SCORERS:

UJ - Thato Mofolo

TUT - Tshogofatso Motlogelwa.

FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Sthembile Sandleni (UJ).

UJ: Lerato Lefa, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Gugu Dhlamini, Refilwe Maseko, Ayesha

Moosa, Shannon Macomo (C), Sthembile Sandleni, Mihle Lumko, Thato Mofolo, Patience Sekhukhuni, Matshidiso Masebe.

TUT: Glanny Mafikeng, Dineo Sharol Ramaoka, Sibongile Ntoane, Mamikgase

Senyatsi, Gift Makanya, Mokgaetji Ramanna, Tshogofatso Motlogelwa (C), Asanda Msuthu, Lindiwe Nkambule, Paballo Chela, Nelly Nhlapho.

CPUT 1-2 WITS

Wits secured seventh position in a hard fought 2-1 victory over CPUT when the two locked horns in 7/8 playoffs.

Despite the poor runs in the group stages which saw both teams failing to record victories, the match produced pleasing action and good football display.

The Witsies took the lead in the 27th minute through a brilliant strike from Thalente Ntamane from inside the box. The Johannesburg side quickly doubled their lead on the stroke of halftime through Sakhi Mnomiya who troubled the CPUT defence with her cheeky runs on wide flanks. Her brilliant strike on the edge of the box handing Wits a comfortable 2 nil lead at the interval.

The affair produced exciting drama after the break as CPUT returned on a high note. The Cape outfit immediately converted their first goal through a good finish inside the box by Sinothando Lirula.

Lirula brilliantly struck the ball and beat the keeper, Wits defender managed to clear from the goal line to keep the score at 2-1 in favour. The referee had her share of the attention from the fans, as she had awarded the goal but quickly changed her decision.

Wits failed to extend their lead when they were awarded a penalty for a foul Mnomiya, who stepped up but failed to convert.

CPUT felt they were robbed of an equalizer, again Lirula striking the in the back of the net only for her boot collided with Wits defender but the referee called for head injury. The match ended with Wits securing 7th place in a dramatic ending.

SCORERS:

CPUT - Sinothando Lirula.

WITS - Thalente Ntamane, Sakhi Mnomiya (Wits).

FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Thandiswa Gwenteshe (CPUT).

CPUT: Nonhlanhla Patience Mahlangu, Buhle Zamangethe Zwane, Zinhle Hlela (C), Uphile Ngqentsu, Sinothando Lirula, Samkelisiwe Madela, Mosetsanagape Theodorah Leepile, Truddy Mzinyathi, Fumane Moeti, Asiphe Delekile, Anathi Mpama.

WITS: Boitumelo Matua, Beyoncé Van Wyk, Magogodi Litlhakanyane, Sizakele Ndlovu, Lusanda Nyathi, Lesego Masemola, Bacebile Ngema, Mavis Thato Machweu, Sakhi Mnomiya, Thalente Ntamane (C), Imaan Parke.

UP-TUKS 6-0 CUT

The 2023 Varsity Women's Football semifinalists UP-Tuks battled out with CUT this time in the 5th and 6th playoff encounter. Tuks had one task to rewrite the errors of group stages.

Maude Khumalo’s charges gained their momentum late in the half as they found it difficult to break the CUT defence. The Stripe Generation finally opened the scoring through their talisman S’bahle Ndlovu after Ntando Phahla delivered a through pass to her teammate who placed it at the bottom corner.

The Pretoria East side was not done as they doubled their lead five minutes later through Tshwarelo Setlhafuno after CUT failed to defend a corner kick and the ball fell on Setlhafuno boot and put in at the back of the net. The match headed to the interval with Tuks leading 2-0.

Tuks continued their party early in the second half with a goal two minutes in play courtesy of Phahla’s sensational free kick. Ndlovu and Phahla continued their riot on the CUT defence with pleasing moves that saw Ndlovu complete her brace as she scored Tuks’ third goal to lead 4-0.

Tuks substitute Rethabile Makhwela headed home a free header to register her name on the scoreboard to make it 5-0.

With three minutes left to play, Phahla perfectly guided the ball in the net for her second goal, earning player of the match in the process as Tuks walked away victorious with 6-0 win.

SCORERS: UP-Tuks - S’Bahle Ndlovu (2), Tshwarelo Setlhafuno, Ntando Phahla (2),

Rethabile Makhwela.

FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Ntando Phahla (UP-Tuks).

UP-Tuks: Kgothatso Manamela, Morongwa Manamela (C), Ntando Phahla, Zikhona Mgotywa, Zikhona Ngenelwa, Thando Khubeka, Tebogo Motale, Nonhlakanipho Lucy Filand, Tshwarelo Setlhafuno, Tiisang Leseyane, S’Bahle Ndlovu.

CUT: Malefa Mantso, Pontsho Mokgethi, Sesinyane Motlhale, Siyavuya Magoswana, Boitumelo Mrwarwaza, Keneilwe Nqai (C), Kefuwe Rampooana, Tebello Hashatsi, Lebohang Madiboho, Portia Sefatsa, Maleqhwa Mokoena.