Banyana Banyana midfielder Linda Motlhalo will be playing Champions League football next season.
This is after her team, Glasgow City, finished second on the Scottish Women’s Premier League table – thus securing a spot in the upcoming UEFA Women’s Champions League alongside new league champions, Hibernian.
Motlhalo’s side started the last day of the campaign in third spot, behind Hibernian and Rangers, and needed nothing but victory – also hoping that second-placed Rangers drop points.
And that is exactly how it happened as City defeated Hearts 2-0 at Petershill Park, while Rangers were brushed aside 1-0 by Hibs. The result was enough to see Glasgow move up to second spot as Rangers dropped to third, missing out on Champions League football on the final day of season.
Kimberly Smit scored the opener for City in the 15th minute before Nicole Kozlova ensured victory with a goal a minute after the restart.
Motlhalo came on as a substitute in the 56th minute.
After 32 games, City managed 74 points, three behind league champions Hibs, and three ahead of Rangers.
“First and foremost, just pleased for the players, they have really given us everything they’ve had this season in terms of effort every time they’ve taken to the pitch. So, we said our thanks in the huddle at the end of the game, but I think that’s what they deserve in terms of now having that European football to look forward to next season,” Glasgow City head coach Leanne Ross told the media after the match.
“We can now look forward to the draw to see who we get and then the hard work starts from there in terms of making sure that we’re prepared and able to go and compete at that level so yeah exciting times ahead.”
Glasgow has a chance for a double celebration as they will be playing in the season-ending Scottish Women’s Cup final. They face Rangers, who may want to come out fighting to avoid a trophyless season.
“The players will be back in the week to recover to make sure that they take on board the analysis, and then their build up will start in terms of looking forward to getting on the pitch next Sunday at Hamden. So, the players deserve it, they’ve had a really good cup run. We want to go and make sure that we can put on a performance that supporters can be proud of and try our very best to get our hands on that cup at the end of the day,” added Ross.
The cup final takes place on Sunday, 25 May 2025 at Hampden.
Kickoff is at 3pm South African time.
By Matlhomola Morake
