Round 3 of the 2024 Varsity Women's Football lived up to expectations on Sunday as TUT, UJ, UWC and NWU collected maximum points and secured semifinal spots.
After impressive victories NWU will face UWC in the first semifinal at 5pm and UJ will do battle against TUT in the second semi at 7pm on Monday 29 July.
UP-TUKS 0-1 NWU
UP-Tuks collided with the on-form NWU in a must win match for both sides with Tuks looking to stay in contention and NWU looking to cement their place at the top of the log.
The clash started slowly with both sides unable to test one another. Only 25 minutes into play Tuks were the first to show signs of desperate win, creating first clear cut chance of the day however Thando Khubeka failed to direct her shot in goal.
Tuks showed signs of poor defence which NWU failed to capitalise on. Zandile Khoza applied pressure on Tuks defence as they committed mistakes inside their box but that didn't result in a good outcome.
The North West side was not done as they almost took the lead again from Tuks error, goalkeeper Kgothatso Manamela failed to clear the ball as it fell again on Khoza’s boot but couldn’t connect well with the ball as her effort went wide as two went to the break 0-0.
Both sides came back from the break fired up, playing high press and keeping both defence busy. It was NWU who grabbed the lead 1-0 through Zandile Khoza’s perfectly executed penalty after 55 minutes after Tuks captain Morongwa Manamela handled the ball in the box which saw her side's knockout chances being dented.
Desperate for the win, Tuks introduced Thembelihle Masibi and pushed Ntando Phahla upfront to help in attack but the efforts were fruitless as the match ended with NWU walking away with all the points.
SCORERS: Zanile Khoza (NWU).
FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Florah Khoza (NWU).
UP-TUKS: Kgothatso Manamela, Morongwa Manamela (C), Ntando Phahla, Zikhona Mgotywa, Zikhona Ngenelwa, Ibanathi Msindo, Tebogo Motale, Thando Khubeka, Tshwarelo Setlhafuno, S’Bahle Ndlovu, Nonhlakanipho Lucy Filand.
NWU: Charlotte Karabo Tshili, Precious Tsupane, Palesa Mnguni, Hlalefang Moledi (C), Kelebogile Makwela, Florah Khoza, Lerato Monate, Kgomotso Moabelo, Mpho Molwele, Rebaone Mojahi, Zanile Khoza.
CPUT 0-2 UWC
Defending champions UWC took on CPUT in Cape derby looking for a second win of the tournament and pile up the pressure on log leaders UJ who beat them in round 1.
As expected, it was a one-sided affair for the vast majority of play as CPUT had limited chances to test UWC defense. It did not take time for Thinasonke Mbuli’s troops to make their mark as they took the lead inside the first 10 minutes through the ever power hungry for goals Ronnel Donnelly who stepped with a cheeky piece of individual play to break the deadlock.
UWC maintained a slender 1-0 lead at the break, but they would look back and say it should have been more. The CPUT defender handled the ball inside her own box but the referee pointed for a free kick to UWC.
The defending champions came from the break fired up and kept asking questions. CPUT were under pressure but the defense remained calm and avoided a high scoring game.
Thembelihle Zulu and Vonisiwe Maswanganyi remained threats to CPUT exploiting the wide spaces. Donnelly and Chelsea Daniels were fed beautiful crosses but failed to convert.
In the last play of the game, UWC were awarded a corner. A huge mistake from goalkeeper Nonhle Ngema mishandled the ball and it ended up in her net after it touched UWC’s substitute Aakifah Adams, securing a 2-0 victory.
SCORERS: Ronnel Donnelly, Aakifah Adams (UWC).
FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Ronnel Donnelly (UWC).
CPUT: Nonhle Ngema, Mesuli Bhungalipheli, Buhle Zamangethe Zwane, Zinhle Hlela(C), Sinothando Lirula, Mosetsanagape Theodorah Leepile, Thandiswa Gwenteshe, Samkelisiwe Madela, Sinelisiwe Phumlomo, Anathi Mpama, Truddy Mzinyathi.
UWC: Thandeka Ngcobo (C), Unathi Simayile, Robyn Coetzee, Ember Edwards, Nabeelah Galant, Vonisiwe Faith Maswanganyi, Akholiwe Matsotsi, Kearah Gentry, Chelsea Daniels, Thembelihle Zulu, Ronnel Donnelly.
UJ 4-0 CUT
UJ put in an impressive second half performance to storm past the CUT 4-0 at the TUT Stadium.
In a game where UJ were favourites, it was no surprise to see the Orange Army dominate proceedings in the first half, controlling possession and playing much of the half in the CUT half. CUT shot stopper, Malefa Mantso who conceded 6 goals on Saturday evening was in fine form that kept her side in the contest for much of the first half.
The deadlock was however eventually broken, when Sibongakonke Mzobe broke the deadlock on the stroke of halftime to put the dominant UJ 1-0 up at the break.
The second half brought much of the same, but the difference fell with the Orange Army scoring two quick goals through Sphokazi Ngwenya and Shannon Macomo to make it 3-0. Macomo went onto bag a brace and give UJ their fourth, through a stunning bit of footwork that saw her centrally positioned shot come off the upright and find its way into the net.
The final whistle eventually sounded, and it was the two time champions who walked away with 3 points.
SCORERS: Sbongakonke Mzobe, Sphokazi Ngwenya, Shannon Macomo (2) (UJ).
FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Shannon Macomo (UJ)
UJ: Lungile Khumalo, Atlegang Mogale, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Monosi Ngambu, Sphokazi Ngwenya, Shannon Macomo (C), Sthembile Sandleni, Mihle Lumko, Sthembile Msomi, Cinderella Sandra Mibe, Matshidiso Masebe.
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CUT: Malefa Mantso, Pontsho Mokgethi, Siyavuya Magoswana, Dimpho Lehasa, Disebo Lydia Mahlonoko, Ipeleng Motlhale, Maleqhwa Mokoena, Lebohang Madiboho, Kefuwe Rampooana, Keneilwe Nqai (C), Nqabakazi Hlatshwayo.
TUT 6-0 Wits
TUT did not give Wits space to breath, as they managed to beat the ladies from Johannesburg 6-0 at the TUT Stadium.
The first half saw TUT play the better football throughout against a nervy Wits team that struggled to string a few passes together consistently. Wits were often forced to play in their own half, making it difficult to create game changing opportunities in front of goal.
TUT’s efforts were however rewarded in the 12th minute, when Sibongile Ntoane took a strike from outside the Wits 18-yard area to make it 1-0. The Red Army of TUT made it 2-0 in the 30th minute, when Ntoane grabbed her brace through an astonishing shot once again from outside the Wits box. At the break it was Wits licking their wounds, while the Red Army were on cloud 9 with their 2-0 lead.
The return of play saw a TUT show, with Wits often looking to just do damage control rather than making an impact on the game.
The Red Army managed to shift a further 4 goals in the half, further tainting a chance for Wits coming out of the game with something. The Tshwane ladies’ goals came courtesy of Tshogofatso Motlogelwa, Gift Makanya, Naledi Thakanyane, and Orapeleng Ndlovu as they walked away with the maximum points.
Scorers: Sibongile Ntoane (2), Tshogofatso Motlogelwa, Gift Makanya, Naledi Thakanyane, Orapeleng Ndlovu (TUT).
FNB PLAYER OF THE MATCH: Gift Makanya (TUT).
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 .
WITS: Boitumelo Matua, Ayanda Mnyembane, Sizakele Ndlovu, Thalente Ntamane,
Sakhi Mnomiya, Lusanda Nyathi, Mavis Thato Machweu, Imaan Parker, Lesego Masemola, Magogodi Litlhakanyane, Bacebile Ngema.