TS Galaxy Queens 1-1 Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies:
Defending Hollywoodbets Super League champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies dropped their first points of the season when they were held to a 1-1 draw by newcomers TS Galaxy Queens – the only stalemate registered this weekend.
The clash took place on Sunday (12 March) at the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in KwaMhlanga, Mpumalanga.
This match was billed to be one of the most exciting for the weekend, but failed to live up to expectations.
After an uneventful first half where the visitors missed several scoring opportunities, they made amends 10 minutes into the second period when forward Andisiwe Mgcoyi put her side into the lead.
But the home side struck in referee’s optional time from the penalty spot to share the spoils with the Brazilians – Mamello Makhabane making no mistake from 12 yards to beat goalkeeper Andile Dlamini.
The incident led to unsavoury scenes with Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies head coach Jerry Tshabalala being shown the red card after protesting about the penalty.
The point was enough, however, to see Banyana ba Style return to the summit of the table (13 points), which was occupied overnight by the University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Tuks Ladies 2-1 Royal AM:
In another Sunday fixture, played at the University of Pretoria Stadium, home side Tuks Ladies had the better of Royal AM, who suffered their first defeat.
The KwaZulu Natal outfit lost 2-1.
UJ Ladies 4-1 Thunderbirds Ladies:
In an earlier match at the same venue, the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) brushed aside Eastern Cape’s Thunderbirds Ladies.
Twin sisters S’phumelele and Thubelihle Shamase were on the scoresheet in a 4-1 victory, assisted by Shannon Macomo and Refilwe Maseko, while Thunderbirds scored through Thandokazi Maqhinana.
UJ are third on the table.
Copperbelt Ladies 2-1 JVW:
On Saturday (11 March) newcomers Copperbelt Ladies shocked their more fancied opponents JVW in a 2-1 win at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
This was the first loss for the Blue Diamonds in four outings.
The home side stunned the visitors as early as the third minute to take a half time lead.
In the 50th minute Gabby Salgado pounced to level matters but five minutes before the final whistle the Limpopo side scored what became the winner – registering a famous victory against the Gauteng outfit.
Coal City Wizards 3-2 Ma-Indies:
The struggle continues for Limpopo’s Ma-Indies after they suffered their fifth loss in as many matches.
They went down 3-2 to Coal City Wizards at the Puma Stadium in Witbank, handing the Mpumalanga side their first win in five attempts.
Ma-Indies are the only side without points and remain bottom of the table.
Durban Ladies 4-1 First Touch:
First Touch travelled to KwaZulu Natal and returned empty-handed following a 4-1 loss to Durban Ladies at the Sugar Ray Xulu Stadium in Clermont.
The Limpopo outfit is yet to win a match in the 2023 campaign.
City Lads Ladies 2-3 TUT:
After losing the Tshwane Derby against new kids on the block Tuks Ladies, the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) bounced back to winning ways, defeating City Lads Ladies 3-2 at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha.
This was the home side’s second loss in succession.
UWC 2-1 Richmond United:
In Cape Town, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) continued with their winning run, making it four out of four.
Thinasonke Mbuli’s charges had to come from behind to beat a strong and pacy Richmond United 2-1 – this was after the visitors had taken the lead in the 26th minute.
But Fiona Ndlovu, who has made scoring a hobby, restored parity eight minutes later – she has now scored in every match since the beginning of the season, taking her tally to seven goals.
Super sub Tiffany Kortjie came in for Khanya Xesi and repaid her coach’s belief in her with a 70th minute winner – giving her side an unblemished start to 2023.
With a match in hand, UWC are second on the table with 12 points, level with UJ Ladies.
After Matchweek 5 in the Hollywoodbets Super League, here are some interesting facts:
- Most points: Sundowns Ladies (13)
- Most wins: Sundowns Ladies, UWC, UJ Ladies (4)
- Most losses: Ma-Indies (5 out of 5)
- No loss: Sundowns Ladies, UWC
- No draw: UWC, UJ, Durban Ladies, Richmond Ladies, Copperbelt Ladies, Ma-Indies
- No win: Ma-Indies, Thunderbirds, First Touch
- No points: Ma-Indies
- Most goals: UWC (18 goals)
- Least goals: First Touch (2)
- Highest conceded: Coal City Wizards (22)
- Lowest conceded: UWC (2)
By Matlhomola Morake
