In a repeat of the 2022 final, defending champions UJ will take on UWC to determine the
winner of the 2023 Women’s Varsity Football competition. The Orange Army
comprehensively beat Wits in the first semi-final while UWC manoeuvred passed UP-Tuks in
the second semi-final.
UWC 1 UP-TUKS 0
The second semi-final saw UWC putting in quite a shift to get a 1-0 win over UP-Tuks to set
up a meeting with UJ.
The first half was a tight battle, with the stats favouring UWC, who looked threatening with
their speedy wingers. Tuks struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities in the opening 20
minutes. The first goal did however come in the 22nd minute when striker Chelsea Daniels
received a pass on the edge of the Tuks box, where she shrugged off a challenge to poke
home for the opener. That is how the score line remained at the interval, with UWC edging
it 1-0.
The second stanza saw the arm wrestle continue with UWC continuously moving the ball
swiftly, combining well but with Tuks remaining resolute at the back. Tuks tried to find a
way back but really struggled to get their goal poachers going, with the ladies from the
Western Cape keeping their composure to keep any threats out. UWC were fortunately able
to hold onto their first-half lead to set up a repeat of the 2022 final against UJ.
Scorers: UWC – Chelsea Daniels.
Player of the match: Bongeka Gamede (UWC).
UWC: Siphesihle Dlamini, Lindokuhle Gladile, Sinegugu Zondi, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Fikile
Magama, Bongeka Gamede, Khanyisa Manengela, Katlego Mabuza, Nabeelah Galant, Tiffany
Kortjie, Chelsea Daniels.
UP-Tuks: Kgothatso Manamela, Wendy Shongwe, Mmakhgotso Mashishi, Sinamile
Mkhwanazi, S’bahle Ndlovu, Morongwa Manamela, Lesedi Petlane, Relebogile Phala,
Ibanathi Msindo, Siyamthanda Qashani, Zikhona Mgotywa.
UJ 3 WITS 0
The first semi-final saw a fierce battle between the two Johannesburg rivals of UJ and Wits,
with the Orange Army eventually running out victors 3-0.
The first half was a cagey affair, with UJ looking more threatening on attack. Wits did well
however in defence to remain compact, keeping the barrage of UJ attacks at bay. The
Orange Army did have a few opportunities to take the lead, which included two free kicks
just outside the Wits box, which unfortunately went over the crossbar on both occasions.
The half eventually concluded with both teams deadlocked at 0-0.
The game resumed with the flow remaining much like the first half, with both teams
returning unchanged. It was UJ’s efforts that were rewarded in the 48th minute, when Wits
keeper Bridgette Moekwa failed to read a cross played in, with UJ’s Lusanda Mavundla
nodding in to draw first blood.
Wits failed to really get going up front, with the midfield struggling to link with the
attackers. UJ continued to string more passes together, always looking like they were going
to score, which eventually happened twice in additional time. Mavundla grabbed her brace
in the 71st minute, while Sbongakonke Mzobe came off the bench to net a third for the
Orange Army before the final whistle blew.
Scorers: UJ – Lusanda Mavundla (2), Sbongakonke Mzobe.
Player of the match: Lusanda Mavundla (UJ).
UJ: Matshidiso Masebe, Atlegang Mogale, Boitumelo Rasehlo, Lerato Lefa, Nokuthula
Sekhukhuni, Kabelo Mokoena, Shannon Macomo, Sthembile Sandleni, Sthandile Msomi,
Ayesha Moosa , Lusanda Mavundla.
Wits: Ayanda Mnyembane, Bridgette Moekwa, Sakhi Mnomiya, Thalente Ntamane,
Francesca Dobrovolsky, Megan Wade, Nthabiseng Ramaisa , Mahlauli Pitso, Magogodi
Litlhakanyane, Thalente Ntshiza, Lusanda Nyathi.
TUT 3 UFH 0
Hosts TUT outplayed a struggling UFH in a battle for fifth and sixth position, winning the
encounter 3-0.
TUT had a clear mandate going into the game and used their pacey wingers to launch their
productive attacks and were rewarded with two goals in quick succession.
Tshegofatso Motlogelwa tabbed in a rebound after Naledi Thakanyane’s shot hit the post.
Thakanyane finally got her name on the score sheet three minutes later with a shot from
close range to double TUT’s advantage taking a 2-0 cushion into the break.
Christina Kutumela’s side continued their sublime form in the second half. They posed
threats to the UFH defence and they finally got through when goalkeeper Dinwayo Amahle
fouled Motlogelwa inside the box. Motlogelwa made no mistake and converted her second
goal of the afternoon.
UFH had their only chance of the game to score their first goal of the 2023 season but Ngece
Nizole’s effort went well wide from close range.
Scorers: TUT – Tshegofatso Motlogelwa (2), Naledi Thakanyane.
Player of the match: Asanda Msuthu (TUT).
TUT: Glanny Mafikeng, Tsholofelo Hope Ngako, Bophelo Mmatli, Asanda Msuthu,
Tshogofatso Motlogelwa, Naledi Thakanyane, Sharol Dineo Ramaoka, Tracey Sibuyi, Yolisa
Ntsabo, Mapule Khumalo, Paballo Chela.
UFH: Dinwayo Amahle, Makaula Ambeswa, Zifune Mamela, Sonkwala Amahle, Zinyusile
Bakholise, Jaxa Sesethu, Magqaza Nosikho, Mankayi Nasiphe, Ncayiyana Busiswa, Ngece
Nizole, Sakela Lime.
DUT 5 UKZN 4 (PENALTIES)
DUT won the KwaZulu-Natal when they beat UKZN 5-4 on penalties to finish seventh.
Both teams started sluggish with no side posing any threat to their counterparts, until the
15th minute when Zime Buthelezi almost scored a sensation goal from a corner kick as she
saw her curled shot hitting the upright.
UKZN made double changes in the first half in a desperate attempt to make an impact on
the action but failed to materialise. There was no advantage for either side at the break with
the score at 0-0.
The second half produced breathtaking moments and fruitful efforts as DUT took an early
lead five minutes into the last stanza. Wandile Dladla headed home a perfectly delivered
corner to hand her side the advantage.
Their celebrations were cut short as UKZN came back in the game three minutes later,
Asanda Nxele tapping home a rebound after the keeper failed to clear her line.
Dladla had two chances to put her team in front, but her efforts were unsuccessful, and the
game headed for a penalty shootout.
DUT eventually walked away as the winners when they managed to convert all their
penalties. Gugu Mhlongo missed the only penalty for UKZN.
Scorers: DUT – Wandile Dladla.
UKZN – Asanda Nxele
Player of the match: Wandile Dladla (DUT)
DUT: Sanele Mnisi, Ongeziwe Masango, Sanelisiwe Mjoka, Mpelasonto Gwamanda, Amanda
Aliah Shelembe, Zime Buthelezi, Nokwanda Xulu, Kholeka Siphokazi Bhengu, Wandile
Nature Dladla, Xolile Duma, Xoliswa Ngubane.
UKZN: Sinenhlahla Mtshali, Noncedo Dlulwakho, Unathi Ntsele, ZamaShandu Dube,
Fundiswa Dladla, Gugu Mhlongo, Silindile Precious Ndlovu, Thobeka Buthelezi, Sphesihle
Fihlela, Sinalo Fam, Thandeka Ntshangase.