It’s the David vs Goliath clash on Sunday (5 March) when the Hollywoodbets Super League defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies face new kids on the block Copperbelt Ladies.
The match-up, which is part of a double-header at the Tsakane Stadium in Brakpan, east of Johannesburg, kicks off at 11h30.
The top of the table Brazilians are on a roll and will be hoping to make it four wins in as many matches while the Limpopo side will be hoping for a change of fortunes after losing last weekend, their second loss in the current campaign.
Despite facing the Limpopo side for the first time ever, Jerry Tshabalala’s charges know that no game is ever easy, as evidenced by their last-gasp victory over First Touch this past weekend.
“The First Touch Ladies were formidable opponents, demonstrating their bravery by attacking us relentlessly instead of relying solely on their defence. Our team had to make several tactical adjustments to adapt to their tempo, which made the game challenging for us. However, we ultimately showcased our dominance on the field, particularly toward the end of the game. This fixture demonstrated our ability to overcome a strong and determined opponent, and we will undoubtedly use this experience to build upon our strengths and continue to improve as a team,” Sundowns Ladies forward Lelona Daweti told the club’s Media Team after their 2-1 win.
The second match of the double header will see another cat and mouse battle when a formidable Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) tackle newcomers University of Pretoria (Amatuks) at 15h00.
The latter side is still smarting from a 2-0 defeat at the hands of TS Galaxy Queens and will want to make amends against an outfit that celebrated their first point in the elite women’s league after three matches.
Sandwiched between the two matches on Sunday, JVW will entertain Limpopo’s First Touch at the UJ Stadium in Soweto at 13h00.
The hosts beat Ma-Indies in a hard-fought clash, while First Touch, who are yet to win after three rounds of matches.
The Saturday (4 March) edition of South Africa’s Premier Women’s League has five matches on offer.
Starting off at the UJ Stadium in Soweto, the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) will host City Lads Ladies.
The home team is still licking their wounds after losing their last encounter the past weekend and will be hoping to bounce back against an Eastern Cape side that played a draw.
If past results are anything to go by, this is going to be another hard-fought encounter – last season they played two draws (2-2, 1-1).
Mpumalanga’s Coal City Wizards will make the long trek to the Northern Cape (travelling for almost 7000km) for a date with Richmond United at Merino Park in De Aar.
The visitors haven’t tasted victory after three outings and sit second from bottom – a very dangerous position even though it’s still early in the season.
Richmond will be eager to continue their fine run after an impressive 5-2 win over Durban Ladies just this past weekend.
Both matches kick off at 13h00.
Two hours later (15h00) the University of the Western Cape (UWC) will be hunting down East London’s Thunderbirds Ladies at the Walter Sisulu University. Both sides posted different results in their respective matches last weekend with the Students grabbing a win while Thunderbirds managed a draw.
Third-placed UWC have a perfect start to the season with two victories out of two, and will want to protect that record so as to stay within touching distance of the log leaders. The Capetonians are one of the two teams in the league yet to drop points, along with Sundowns Ladies.
There’s a huge battle in prospect in Hammersdale, KwaZulu Natal, when newcomers TS Galaxy Queens take on Royal AM, formerly known as Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies. The two outfits come into the clash on a high after winning their last matches.
Royal AM are second on the table with seven points, just one above fifth-placed Galaxy.
The final match of the day will see bottom-of-the-table Ma-Indies, who have lost three matches in a spin, lock horns with Durban Ladies. The KZN team is also not in high spirits after suffering a humiliating 5-2 defeat in their last outing.
The clash takes place at the Noordelikes Rugby Field in Polokwane.
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE – WEEK 4:
Sat, 5 March
UJ vs City Lads
13h00
UJ Soccer Stadium, Soweto
Gauteng
Richmond United vs Coal City Wizards
13h00
Merino Park, De Aar
Northern Cape
Thunderbirds Ladies vs UWC
15h00
Walter Sisulu Stadium, East London
Eastern Cape
Royal AM vs TS Galaxy Queens
15h00
Mpumalanga Stadium, Hammersdale
KwaZulu Natal
Ma-Indies Ladies vs Durban Ladies
15h00
Noordelikes Rugby Field, Polokwane
Limpopo
SUNDAY, 6 MARCH
Sundowns Ladies vs Copperbelt Ladies
11H30
Tsakane Stadium, Brakpan
Gauteng
JVW vs First Touch
13H00
UJ Soccer Stadium, Soweto
Gauteng
TUT vs UP
15H00
Tsakane Stadium, Brakpan
Gauteng
By Matlhomola Morake
