Reigning champions UWC off to a positive start in the Varsity Women’s Football tourney

DAY 1:

8 teams, 4 matches, 4 winners!

Defending champions the University of the Western Cape (UWC) got off to a positive start in the 2025 Varsity Women’s Football tournament currently underway at the UJ Soccer Stadium in Soweto.

The Capetonians were made to sweat by the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in a 2-1 win on Friday (5 September) in the last match of the day – a repeat of the 2024 final of the competition.

Zikhona Noqgala gave UWC the lead in the 22^nd minute but the celebrations had hardly died down when TUT responded through the on-form Thabiso Senyatsi as she restored parity before the half time break.

Forward Chelsea Daniels struck the winning goal for the Capetonians in the second half to give the reigning champions some relief after relentless attacks from TUT, who were hoping for a better start as they are still in search of their first title in this competition. Last year they finished in second place losing to UWC in the final.

SCORERS:

UWC: Zikhona Nogqala, Chelsea Daniels.

TUT: Thabiso Senyatsi

Player of the Match: Nwabisa Qoba (UWC)

TEAMS:

UWC:

Siphesihle Dlamini, Fikile Magama, Zikhona Nogqala, Unathi Simayile, Mmabatho Mogale, Vinosiwe Maswanganyi, Kearah Gentry, Nwabisa Qoba, Chelsea Daniels, Tiffany Kortjie, Thembelihle Zulu

TUT:

Retshepaone Ntwayagae, Paballo Chela, Lindiwe Nkambule, Nonzuzo Buthelezi, Mahlodi Mokoena, Nkateko Nkhuna, Palesa Ntsholo, Amahle Sosibo, Thabiso Senyatsi, Naledi Thakanyane, Mokgaetji Ramanna.

Wits striker Ayanda Mnyembane scored the winner as they beat a stubborn Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) by a narrow 1-0 victory in an earlier match. 

The third minute strike was enough to see off the Capetonians who went down fighting, but their efforts failed to produce any goals in a hard-fought match played under windy conditions.

Mnyembane walked away with the Player of the Match award.

SCORERS

Wits: Ayanda Mnyembane

Player of the Match: Ayanda Mnyembane (Wits)

TEAMS:

CPUT: Nonhle Ngema, Sthembiso Williams, Single Hlela, Liyema Tom, Humane Moeti, Zilungile Mathiya, Mosetsanagape Leepile, Mesuli Bhungalipheli, Sinelisiwe Phumlomo, Banele Ndlela, Sinothando Lirula.

Wits: Bridgette Moekwa, Thalente Ntamane, Thalente Ntshiza, Bacebile Ngema, Amogelang Rachelapa, Lusanda Nyathi, Nthabiseng Ramaisa, Ayanda Mnyembane, Primrose Kopeka, Lenees Wattie, Aliyaa Allie.

The University of Venda (Univen) were given a baptism of fire as they were on the wrong end of a 5-1 scoreline, where Tuks found the back of the net with ease. Surprisingly, it was the Limpopo side that opened in the scoring early into the match through Andani Dabana (14’).

But the Pretoria outfit went to the break with a 2-1 lead with goals from Nonhlakanipho Finland (31’) and Sbahle Ndlovu (34’).

After the recess, Maud Khumalo’s charges stretched their advantage to 3-1 when Ndlovu (52’) completed her brace. Moeletsi Digoro also got in on the act for an unassailable 4-1 lead before second half substitute Rethabile Makhwela completed the rout with her strike, making it 5-1 and a perfect start to the tournament.

SCORERS

UP-Tuks: Nonhlakanipho Lucy Filand, Rethabile Makhwela, S’bahle Ndlovu X2, Moeletsi Digoro.

UNIVEN: Andani Dabana

Player of the Match: Sbahle Ndlovu (UP-Tuks)

UP-Tuks:

Kay-Dee Windvogel, Zikhona Mgotya, Mmakhgotso Rose Mashishi Tebogo Motale, S’Bahle Ndlovu, Liyema Dyeli, Neliswa Kubeka, Tshwarelo Setlhafuno, Maria Manganas, Nonhlakanipho Lucy Filand, Moeletsi Digoro.

UNIVEN:

Matete Mante Makena, Gracious Kanganiso, Sara Ramphabana, Mulalo Mudau, Advice Mohlala, Khumbula Radu, Boitumelo Mahlake, Nokuthula Mnyakeni, Lebogang Marakalla, Mpho Pandelani, Andani Dabana.

The University of Johannesburg’s Thato Mofolo stole the show with a hattrick, helping the hosts to a 4-0 win over North West University (NWU).

But it was Sbongakonke Mzobe who led the way for the Orange Army with an early strike, just seven minutes after the start.

Mofolo, who was named Player of the Match, grabbed her opening goal in the first half before completing the damage in the second stanza with a further two strikes.

SCORERS:

UJ: Thato Mofolo X3, Sbongakonke Mzobe.

Player of the Match: Thato Mofolo (UJ)

TEAMS:

UJ:

Manana Myeki, Shannon Macomo, Portia Masilela, Kabelo Mokoena, Nokuthula Sekhukhuni, Sthembile Sandleni, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Nhlakanipho Moyo, Gugulethu Dhlamini, Thato Mofolo, Kamogelo Maponya.

NWU:

Mmabatho Tladi, Thandi Dondolo, Londeka Mabeba, Vuyokazi Thambe, Ponalo Molale, Mbalentle Dlikilili, Neo Montshosi, Thato Mokalake, Naledi Mooketsi, Veronica Maswanganyi, Bokamoso Skosana.

RESULTS:

UWC 2-1 TUT

CPUT 0-1 Wits

UP- Tuks 5-1 UNIVEN

UJ 4-0 NWU

By Matlhomola Morake 

(additional reporting by varsitysportssa.com)