Day One of the 2023 Sasol League National Championship served plenty of goals, with 16 registered in three matches.
The tournament is taking place at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium in Bloemfontein, with nine provincial winners in a battle to be crowned national champions in the final scheduled for Sunday, 22 October.
Kickoff is at 11h30.
The biggest winners on the first day were Croesus from Gauteng who were merciless against Mpumalanga’s Sasol Juventus in the last match of the day.
This is Croesus’ second return to the championship after their maiden appearance in 2021 where they finished in fourth place. The Gauteng side made their intentions very clear this time around with an impressive 5-1 win to go top of Group A.
They have three points, with Sasol Juventus on zero following their loss, while Royal Queens of North West are yet to play.
Earlier in the day, Limpopo’s Ramatlaohle Ladies were too strong for the University of Cape Town (UCT) students, with a 3-1 win to take charge of Group C. They lead by three points, as the other two – UCT and Ixias FC are still to register points.
“It was not an easy game. UCT can run, but I think we were lucky because we managed to see one of their games on YouTube, so it was easy for us to plan for them. It’s because we saw their game, but they have young blood and they can run, they are full of energy. It was not an easy game really, we are happy for the first three points because of a win on the first day of the tournament – it’s very much important. It now gives the ladies a morale boost, so we’re looking forward to tomorrow’s game,” said Ramatlaohle coach, Betty Maseko.
In Group B, Eastern Cape’s University of Fort Hare downed Royal Wizards of Northern Cape 4-2. The students are making their first ever appearance in the competition while Royal Wizards are returning for the seventh time.
Action continues on Day 2, Wednesday (18 October) with the University of Fort Hare returning to the field early in the morning to face Lindelani Ladies at 09h00.
Croesus Ladies follows at 12h30 as they go toe to with Royal Queens and rounding off the day are Ramatlaohle Ladies and the hosts, Ixias FC, at 15h30 – which is expected to be a cracker of a game.
DAY 2 FIXTURES:
- Fort Hare University vs Lindelani Ladies: 09h00
- Croesus Ladies vs Royal Queens: 12h30
- Ramatlaohle Ladies vs Ixias FC: 15h30
By Matlhomola Morake
