Reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, JVW and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) are not playing this weekend in the Hollywoodbets Super League as they have three or more players on national team duty, while Royal AM, Durban Ladies and Coal City Wizards get byes.
But there is still plenty of action elsewhere with five matches on offer – including two derbies.
Ma-Indies Ladies vs Copperbelt Ladies: 1500
The first is in Limpopo where Ma-Indies will welcome neighbours and newcomers Copperbelt Ladies to Giyani on Sunday, 24 September 2023.
In their first meeting earlier this year, Copperbelt came out tops with a 2-1 victory.
After 23 rounds of fixtures where they lost 21 of those, the home side will be eager to change their fortunes as they are running out of matches to escape relegation, more so because they have now suffered defeats in 13 games in a row.
On the other hand, the 12th placed Copperbelt would not want to be dragged near the danger zone so late in the season, and will be going for maximum points.
TUT vs UJ: 15h00
There are four matches scheduled for Saturday (23 September 2023) and one of them is the Varsity Derby with the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) travelling to the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in the country’s capital.
The hosts have not had a great season – with only 12 wins. But they will come into this encounter with a spring in their step after getting an unexpected 1-0 victory over TS Galaxy Queens midweek, which would have served as a morale booster. But they face a tough UJ that wants to retain their top eight status.
The first round encounter ended in a 1-all stalemate.
Richmond United vs TS Galaxy Queens: 15h00
TS Galaxy Queens are in the Northern Cape at Merino Park, and, after their midweek loss, are expected to come out guns blazing against a stubborn Richmond United.
The hosts are holding on to their eighth spot and are fighting tooth and nail to maintain or better it. Richmond drew their last two games.
Besides being ravaged by injuries to key personnel, TS Galaxy will be without one of their influential players, Nomvula Kgoale, who is with Banyana Banyana in the USA.
City Lads Ladies vs First Touch: 15h00
City Lads Ladies will host First Touch Ladies at the Isaac Wolfson in Gqeberha with the hope of bringing back a smile after their 4-0 hammering at the hands of JVW last weekend.
But the visitors will be high on confidence following the Limpopo Derby win last weekend against the struggling Ma-Indies.
First Touch is on a mission to get into the top eight, and are well aware that they cannot afford to drop points.
Thunderbirds Ladies vs University of Pretoria: 15h00
Last weekend, second from bottom Thunderbirds Ladies held the exciting TS Galaxy Queens to a 1-all draw, and will most likely go into the clash against the University of Pretoria (Tuks Ladies) at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London with a spring in their step.
But the Hollywoodbets Super League newcomers are not easy customers. Last week they defeated UJ in a Varsity Derby, and will approach the Thunderbirds fixture with a lot of positivity because of their first round 2-0 victory against the Eastern Cape side.
The students will be missing their trusted goal poacher, Wendy Shongwe, who is on national team assignment.
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE FIXTURES:
SATURDAY, 23 SEPTEMBER 2023
TUT vs UJ
TUT Stadium
Pretoria
15h00
City Lads Ladies vs First Touch
Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Gqeberha
15h00
Thunderbirds Ladies vs University of Pretoria
Sisa Dukashe Stadium
East London
15h00
Richmond United vs TS Galaxy Queens
Merino Park
De Aar, Northern Cape
15h00
SUNDAY, 24 SEPTEMBER 2023
Ma-Indies Ladies vs Copperbelt Ladies
Giyani Stadium
Limpopo
15h00
By Matlhomola Morake
