Week 13 of the Hollywoodbets Super League, South Africa’s Premier Women’s Football league, saw defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies return to the summit of the table a 3-0 win over the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in an exciting top of the table clash that was played at the University of Pretoria Stadium on Sunday (14 May 2023).
The Brazilians came into this clash second on the table, and needed to win to ensure reclaim the lead from the Students, who have been enjoying a good run this season.
“A bit of a difficult game, and technically we needed to spot on in terms of how we applied ourselves. We had to bring Bambanani (Mbane) to play CDM (central defensive midfielder) for us and that destabilized UWC. The system that we played today, we tweaked it a little bit, we had a 343 formation, we hardly play with three strikers. We knew that UWC is a side that likes to play from the back, so we closed those lines, and they were forced to hoof the ball upfront, and Nonhlanhla Mthandi and Bambanani won every second ball. Credit must go to the technical team and the players in the way that they played today,” said an elated Jerry Tshabalala, head coach of Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
A first half goal by Chuene Morifi, and two the other side of the break from Andisiwe Mgcoyi and new recruit, Botswana international, Refiloe Tholakele – who scored on debut – were enough to secure victory for the Brazilians.
“It’s a very good win for us, it’s a good morale booster. We started very slow as a side that doesn’t rattle the net so much – we had too many injuries in our striking department. We saw our new acquisition Refilwe Tholakele (from Botswana) make a huge difference, and when you feel that our players are fit and available for the game, it makes the coach happy,” added Tshabalala.
“When you are on top you will always have pressure. Teams always want to beat the side that is on top but we have done it three times in a row and we are used to that kind of pressure, and we needed a challenge like this so that we could see how we react when we find ourselves second or third. We are now in the driving seat and we know what is expected of us.”
This was UWC’s second loss of the season after 13 rounds of matches – they also went down to newcomers TS Galaxy Queens.
The Capetonians needed to win to maintain their lead at the top but it was not to be.
“I think we made it tough for ourselves. It was a good game plan from them (Sundowns Ladies) because first half we couldn’t deal with the four that was pressing us upfront, so most of the time we ended up going for a long ball and that’s not how we play, I think second half we tried but if your spine is not functioning on the day, I don’t think there is much you can do,” said a disappointed Thinasonke Mbuli, coach of UWC.
“As for the goals, I call them donations., I said to them before the game the team that will win is the one that will make less mistakes, but also capitalize on the mistakes of the opposition, and that’s what they (Sundowns Ladies) did and won today.”
Prior to this clash, Mbuli had lamented the fact that some of players could not train for three days due to a bout of flu that knocked the team out, including herself – but they had vowed to fight to the bitter end.
“I think they tried. But you could see Sibulele (Holweni) was not herself today, we didn’t start Amo (Amogelang Motau), Sinegugu (Gamede) on the right, I did not think she would finish the game today because she was one of the worst ones with flu, and I think she dealt very well with Chuene Morifi. Fikile (Magama) was also not fine, but she did well, so that’s why we had to make those changes – bring on Amo late (she was also of those really bad with flu). But we can’t complain about the flu, we played, we made mistakes and they capitalized on those mistakes and won the game,” added Mbuli.
Sundowns Ladies are on 34 points, one ahead of UWC.
JVW 2 – 0 Coal City Wizards
Earlier, at the same venue, JVW laboured to a 2-0 win over a stubborn Coal City Wizards. This was the Blue Diamonds’ their third win in a row.
They took the lead in the 80th minute through Kelebogile Putu, before sealing victory with a well-taken long range goal by Amanda Mthandi in referee’s optional time. The victory pushed them one notch up to fourth spot on the table.
First Touch 2 – 0 Copperbelt Ladies
First Touch notched up their fourth win of the season and claimed bragging rights in the Limpopo Derby as they defeated newcomers Copperbelt Ladies 2-0 at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane.
This was First Touch’s third win in a row.
Thunderbirds Ladies 0-1 TUT
At the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London, the visiting Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) managed their first win in eight games when they beat hosts Thunderbirds Ladies 1-0. Since their last victory (3-2) on the 11th of March against City Lads Ladies, the Students have suffered five losses and managed two draws.
They are lying 12th on the table, while Thunderbirds are a notch down in 13th place.
Royal AM 5 – 0 UJ Ladies
After their 3-0 loss to UWC last weekend, Royal AM bounced back in emphatic fashion as they showed no mercy to the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) in Hammersdale, KwaZulu Natal.
The wheels seem to have come off from the Students as they have not collected maximum points in five outings. UJ Ladies have lost three and drawn two, dropping to seventh position on the log standings – they were in the top three in the early stages of the season.
Ma-Indies ladies 0 – 4 TS Galaxy Queens
Red-hot newcomers TS Galaxy Queens travelled to Giyani in Limpopo and overpowered bottom-of-the-table hosts, Ma-Indies Ladies 4-0.
A brace from Mamello Makhabane and a goal each from Phindile Rakgalakane and Nicole Michael were good enough to hand the Mpumalanga outfit their seveth win in a row, while Ma-Indies suffered their third consecutive defeat.
The Rockets are third on the table with 30 points – three behind UWC and four adrift of the log leaders.
Richmond United 1 – 2 University of Pretoria:
Richmond United lost for the first time at home in eight games – going down 2-1 to new kids on the block University of Pretoria (Tuks Ladies) at Merino Park in De Aar.
It seems the Northern Cape side hasn’t recovered from the side-effects of the heavy defeat (5-0) to TS Galaxy Queens last weekend. Richmond were also without the fast-running and influential Michelle Sampson, who is out injured.
City Lads Ladies 0 – 2 Durban Ladies:
Durban Ladies were too powerful for City Lads Ladies away in Gqeberha at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium – the visitors won 2-0 and are ninth on the table. City Lads are on the 14th spot.
LOG STANDINGS AFTER WEEK 13 IN THE HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE
| Position | Team | Played | Won | Drawn | Lost | NR | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies FC | 13 | 11 | 1 | 1 | 0 | 37 | 9 | 28 | 34 |
| 2 | UWC | 13 | 11 | 0 | 2 | 0 | 41 | 9 | 32 | 33 |
| 3 | TS Galaxy Queens | 13 | 9 | 3 | 1 | 0 | 31 | 8 | 23 | 30 |
| 4 | JVW FC | 13 | 8 | 3 | 2 | 0 | 18 | 10 | 8 | 27 |
| 5 | Richmond United | 13 | 8 | 1 | 4 | 0 | 25 | 16 | 9 | 25 |
| 6 | Royal AM | 13 | 7 | 3 | 3 | 0 | 23 | 10 | 13 | 24 |
| 7 | University of JHB | 13 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 32 | 21 | 11 | 20 |
| 8 | University Of Pretoria | 13 | 6 | 2 | 5 | 0 | 17 | 18 | -1 | 20 |
| 9 | Durban Ladies | 13 | 6 | 0 | 7 | 0 | 23 | 23 | 0 | 18 |
| 10 | Copperbelts Ladies | 13 | 5 | 0 | 8 | 0 | 15 | 24 | -9 | 15 |
| 11 | First Touch Academy | 13 | 4 | 2 | 7 | 0 | 13 | 20 | -7 | 14 |
| 12 | TUT Football Club | 13 | 3 | 3 | 7 | 0 | 12 | 15 | -3 | 12 |
| 13 | Thunderbirds Ladies | 13 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 0 | 5 | 25 | -20 | 8 |
| 14 | City Lads Ladies | 13 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 11 | 31 | -20 | 7 |
| 15 | Coal City Wizards | 13 | 2 | 1 | 10 | 0 | 10 | 51 | -41 | 7 |
| 16 | Ma-Indies Ladies | 13 | 2 | 0 | 11 | 0 | 10 | 33 | -23 | 6 |
By Matlhomola Morake
