Defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies headline week 23 of the Hollywoodbets Super League.
All the matches will be played on Sunday, 2 October 2022.
The two giants collide at the Mpumalanga Stadium in Hammersdale at 15h00.
Although the hosts have vastly improved, they could fancy their chances of getting something out of the match, what with Sundowns flattering to deceive at times.
The defending champions have lost twice in 20 matches this season, registering 17 victories and a draw, while Celtic has managed 11 wins in 21 outings – suffering two defeats, one of them at the hands of Sundowns.
But if history is anything to go by, the hosts are facing an uphill battle – they haven’t defeated the African Champions in three seasons.
Banyana Ba Style have put 10 goals past Celtic Ladies in five matches without any reply from the formerly Free State who have now relocated to KwaZulu Natal.
Their last meeting in June ended in a 2-0 victory for Sundowns at the Groenkloof Stadium in Pretoria – with goals from Gabonnelwe Kekana and Boitumelo Rabale.
Both sides won big in their respective midweek clashes – Sundowns disposed of Thunderbirds 4-0 while Celtic brushed aside Richmond United 3-0.
Sundowns Ladies vs Celtic Ladies results in three seasons:
1 June 2022
2-0
Groenkloof Stadium, Pretoria
3 October 2021
2-0
Lucas Moripe Stadium
29 May 2021
0-2
Dr Molemela Stadium
8 February 2020
3-0
Chloorkop Stadium
19 October 2019
Dr Molemela Stadium
(TUT vs First Touch FC)
In other fixtures, the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) will have a spring in their step when they face First Touch FC at the UJ Soweto Soccer Stadium with an early kick off of 11h30.
TUT has just come off the back two morale-boosting victories – beating neighbours Sundowns and downing title-chasers JVW, while First Touch could only get a point from the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in their previous fixture.
The Tshwane side is in second place, four points behind the log leaders and will be hoping they (Brazilians) slip-up so they can reduce the gap.
(Richmond United vs Ma-Indies Ladies)
In a mid-table clash, eighth-placed Richmond United will welcome Ma-Indies Ladies who are just one spot ahead in seventh position.
Separated by five points – 32 and 37 respectively – the two sides face off at the Merino Park Stadium in De Aar, Northern Cape.
Both had contrasting fortunes in their respective midweek matches, with Ma-Indies successful while Richmond was on the losing end.
(Tsunami Queens vs Golden Ladies)
The Bohlokong Stadium in Bethlehem will host the battle of the strugglers when second-from-bottom Tsunami Queens collide with the visiting bottom-of-the-table side Golden Ladies.
With matches running out thick and fast, the two clubs will have to improve a lot so as avoid relegation. They are level on six points each, but the travellers have played 22 matches, two more than the home side.
(UJ vs Durban Ladies)
In their last five fixtures, the resurgent University of Johannesburg (UJ) has managed three wins, a draw and a loss.
They were the highest scorers in the midweek games with a resounding 5-1 victory over Golden Ladies, and will be hoping to continue where they left off when they entertain Durban Ladies in the second match of the day at UJ Soweto Soccer Stadium.
Kick-off is at 15h00.
(UWC vs Coal City Wizards)
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) is blowing hot and cold in recent times.
They last tasted victory on August 14 2022 when they defeated the struggling Golden Ladies 2-0.
In the next match (17 August) they fell to Bloemfontein Celtic (2-0) and this was followed by a string of draws – five in total (TUT, Thunderbirds Ladies, Mamelodi Sundowns, JVW and First Touch FC).
Now they will be hoping to turn around their fortunes when they welcome Mpumalanga’s Coal City Wizards at the UWC Stadium, with a 15h00 start.
The hosts were seen as title contenders but have fallen to be the back of the queue and find themselves in fifth position on 40 points – 12 behind the log leaders after 20 games.
(Vasco da Gama vs City Lads Ladies)
Another battle of the strugglers will see two newcomers Vasco da Gama and the Eastern Cape’s City Lads Ladies collide at the Parow Stadium in Cape Town.
The Sasol League National Champs finalists are in 13th and 14th positions respectively, dancing dangerously around the relegation zone. They are level on 15 points each, nine ahead of the bottom two sides (Tsunami Queens and Golden Ladies).
Despite what seems like a big gap, they both know they cannot afford slip up as the season is drawing to a close.
By Matlhomola Morake
