Bloemfontein will be abuzz with excitement where the 2023 Sasol League National Champs play-off will be held.
The 14th edition will be played at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Botshabelo from 16 – 22 October, with nine provincial winners contesting the National title.
The victors will walk away with bragging rights of being called the Sasol League National Champions, but, over and above that, they will gain promotion into the Hollywoodbets Super League alongside the runners up.
The top two will also smile all the way to the bank with R200k for first place and half of that for second place.
All the nine teams have already arrived in the City of Roses and are raring to go.
“It feels as though women’s football in South Africa has been on a veritable rollercoaster ride for most of 2023 but in truth, there have been no dips, just one crest after another. And this week’s Sasol League National Championship here in Bloemfontein is just one more of those peaks in the continuing upward spiral,” said SAFA President Dr Danny Jordaan.
“I extend a warm welcome to the nine provincial champions and to all the fans who have never had more to celebrate in women’s football than at this very moment. Enjoy the action this week secure in the knowledge that what happens here is just a precursor of greater things to come. These players and teams can and will represent South Africa and Africa the world over and we’ll take pride and pleasure in knowing we were there where it all started, on the field and in the stands at the Sasol League.”
The University of Cape Town (Western Cape) will open the tournament with a clash against Limpopo’s Ramatlaohle at 09h00, followed by the match-up between Royal Wizards (Northern Cape) and Fort Hare University (Eastern Cape) at 12h30.
Rounding off Day One’s action at 15h30 will be Sasol Juventus (Mpumalanga) vs Croesus (Gauteng).
DAY ONE FIXTURES:
UCT vs Ramatlaohle: 09h00
Royal Wizards vs UFH: 12h30
Sasol Juventus vs Croesus: 15h30
All group stage matches will be streamed live on Facebook while the semi-finals and the final will be broadcast live on SABC Sport.
Entry to the games is free.
In 2009 Sasol partnered with the South African Football Association (SAFA) with the aim of providing a platform to girls in women’s football around the country – giving birth to the Sasol League.
The semi-professional league, with 16 teams in each province, divided into two streams, caters for 3600 female footballers who participate in regular competitive football throughout the year.
Because of its vast reach, it also helps female players showcase their talent so they can be spotted by coaches in the U17 and U20 women’s national teams as well as the Sasol-sponsored Banyana Banyana.
At the end of each season, the Sasol League organises the Sasol League National Championship where all nine provincial winners get together to compete for the crown of national champions.
Since inception in 2009, there have been nine winners. The tournament did not take place in 2020 due to the Covid-19 pandemic.
Palace Super Falcons are the most successful side with three titles (2010, 2011, 2012), followed by both Sundowns Ladies and the now defunct Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies (who currently compete as Royal AM in the Hollywoodbets Super League).
Detroit Ladies are the inaugural winners, while Copperbelt Ladies are the 2022 champions.
“Sasol is excited to witness the skills and talents that the ladies will showcase in the competition. Sport is an integral part of our national identity, and Sasol, in collaboration with the South African Football Association (SAFA), takes immense pride in hosting what we believe is the greatest sporting competition in the history of South African women’s football. Through this partnership, we are not just supporting women’s football; we are investing in the pursuit of dreams and encouraging greatness by providing women athletes with a platform to showcase their talents,” said Elton Fortuin – Vice President: Sasol Group Communication and Brand Management.
“At the grassroots level of women’s football development, we are creating opportunities for young girls to pursue their dreams, develop their skills and talents, and envision a future in women’s football. Through our initiatives, we want young athletes to see the Sasol League tournament as a stepping stone that will open doors to opportunities in the football fraternity because we “Believe in Her Dreams with Sasol League.” The Sasol League stands as the premier semi-professional platform, the very birthplace of dreams, and through this League, we are determined to shape a future where women shine in all spheres. We wish all the teams participating in this year’s tournament the best of luck. Your hard work and dedication have brought you this far. May the best team win!”
A LOOK AT THE COMPETING TEAMS FOR 2023:
IXIAS FC:
Ixias FC from the Free State are the hosts – they are also the hope of the province to have a team in the Hollywoodbets Super League after they were left without a representative following the relegation of Tsunami Queens from South Africa’s top flight Women’s Football at the end of last season.
This side does not lack in experience after making an appearance in the Sasol League National Champs in the 2019/20/23 seasons but always falling short.
They had a great season where they went undefeated in the league in 14 games – drawing twice.
Established: 18 July 2018
LFA: Matjhabeng
Region: SAFA Lejweleputswa
Base: CUT Welkom Campus
Head Coach: Teboho Majake
Honours: 2019, 2020 and 2023 Sasol Free State League Champions, 2022 Sasol FS League Runners-up.
ROYAL WIZARDS:
The perennial Northern Cape champions have always flattered deceive.
Royal Wizards have won the provincial title seven times – 2011/2013/2014/2019/2021/ 2022/2023 – but despite the vast experience, their best showing in the Sasol League National Champs was in 2019 when they made the semi-finals. The Kimberly-based outfit cruised again in the league this year, winning 15 of their 16 matches, losing just once.
Founded: 2003
Base: Kimberley
Region: SAFA Francis Baard
LFA: Sol Plaatje
Assistant Coach: Kabelo Setlogelo
Honours:
2011/2013/2014/2019/2021/ 2022/2023 Sasol NC League Champions
2019 Sasol League National Championship semi-finalists.
SASOL JUVENTUS:
Mpumalanga-based Sasol Juventus is looking to emulate Detroit Ladies, the inaugural Sasol League National Champs winners by also having their name engraved on the trophy.
They have made great strides after finishing second in their province in 2021 and 2022 before reaching the summit this season. This they achieved following a fantastic season in their province, winning 14 matches in their stream and losing 2.
Sasol Juventus was established 35 years ago (1988).
Established: 1988
Region: SAFA Gert Sibande
LFA: Govan Mbeki
Location: Embalenhle Community
Home Ground: Embalenhle Recreational Sasol Club
Head Coach: Paulus Mabe
Honours:
5x LFA winner
2021 & 2022 runners-up in Sasol League Mpumalanga
participated in all SAFA Mpumalanga women’s leagues for 20 years.
LINDELANI LADIES:
Will it be third time lucky for Lindelani Ladies from KwaZulu Natal? They have won the provincial title for three years running since 2021 but have failed at the Sasol League National Champs. They are back again and the big question is will they make it count this time around.
Lindelani Ladies finished the season unbeaten – 14 wins and two losses in their stream.
Home Ground: Tills Crescent Sports Grounds, Durban
Region: SAFA eThekwini
Founder/Coach: Nkosinathi Vilakazi
Honours: 2018 and 2019 finished in 2nd place in Sasol KZN League
2021/22/23 Sasol KZN League Champions.
UNIVERSITY OF CAPE TOWN:
The University of Cape Town (UCT) may have cruised past their Western Cape opposition in their stream but could find the going tough in the Sasol League National Play-offs.
In sixteen games they lost only once. Should they gain promotion to the Hollywoodbets Super League, they will increase the number of university sides to five after UWC, UJ, TUT and Tuks.
Region: SAFA Cape Town
Head Coach: Ahmed Parker
Coach: Kamaal Sait
Honours: 2017 CT RWL Champions,
2023 Sasol WC League Champions.
RAMATLAOHLE LADIES:
Copperbelt Ladies of Limpopo are the reigning Sasol League National Champs, and now the pressure turns on Ramatlaohle Ladies to ensure the title remains on the northern part of the country. Also, do they have what it takes to replace the relegate Ma-Indies Ladies so Limpopo can continue having three teams in the elite women’s football league?
Ramatlaohle Ladies had a magnificent season, winning 13 of their 14 fixtures, with only one draw.
LFA: Mogalakwena
Region: SAFA Waterberg
Coach: Nhlanhla Betty Maseko
Champions, 2023 Sasol Limpopo Stream A Winners and Champions.
ROYAL QUEENS:
Based in Phokeng, near Rustenburg, Royal Queens have been to the Sasol League National Champs, but could not get out of their group in 2019.
They are back for the second time to try their luck following an impressive season in North West where they won their stream ahead of the much-fancied NWW Tawana FC.
Base: Phokeng
Region: SAFA Bojanala
Head Coach: Selwyn Tsitsi
Honours: 2019 and 2023 Sasol NW League Champions
UNIVERSITY OF FORT HARE:
Sixteen games, 15 wins and one draw in the Eastern Cape saw the University of Fort Hare top their group, beating Sophakama Ladies – that produced Banyana Banyana’s Sibulele Holweni, who now plays for the University of the Western Cape (UWC) – to second position.
UFH is the second varsity team in 2023 Sasol League National Champs, alongside UCT – and should the two of them go all the way, for the first time, there will be six university teams in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
Established: Early 2000s
Base: Alice
LFA: Raymond Mhlaba
Region: SAFA Amathole
Head Coach: Asanda Mnakaniso
Honours: 2023 Sasol Eastern Cape League Champions (unbeaten in 16 games for the season), became only the second EC team ever to play in the Women’s Varsity Cup in 2023.
CROESUS FC:
Croesus FC finished in fourth place , behind Lindelani Ladies in the 2021 Sasol League National Champs held at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Durban. The now-defunct Vasco da Gama won promotion to the Hollywoodbets Super League in that year, alongside City Lads Ladies in a tough field that included the likes of Copperbelt Ladies, TS Galaxy, Royal Wizards and Ixias FC.
With the help of Technical Coach Anna Monate in their midst, Croesus will be hoping they go all the way and become the sixth team in Gauteng in the elite women’s league after Sundowns Ladies, JVW, Tuks Ladies, UJ Ladies and TUT.
Established: 1996
Base: Northview High School, Balfour
Region: SAFA Ekurhuleni
LFA: Benoni
Head Coach: Kanyisa Qina
Assistant Coach: Daniel Sipho Tshidi Technical Coach: Anna Monate
Honours: 2021 Sasol League Gauteng Champions.
PREVIOUS SASOL LEAGUE NATIONAL CHAMPS WINNERS:
- 2022: Copperbelt Ladies (Limpopo)
- 2021: Vasco da Gama (Western Cape)
- 2019: JVW FC (Gauteng)
- 2018: TUT Ladies (Gauteng)
- 2017: Bloemfontein Celtics Ladies (Free State)
- 2016: Bloemfontein Celtics Ladies (Free State)
- 2015: Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Gauteng)
- 2014: Cape Town Roses Ladies (Cape Town)
- 2013: Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies (Gauteng)
- 2012: Palace Super Falcons (Gauteng)
- 2011: Palace Super Falcons (Gauteng)
- 2010: Palace Super Falcons (Gauteng)
- 2009: Detroit Ladies (Mpumalanga)
By Matlhomola Morake
