The wait is almost over for the start of the 2024 Hollywoodbets Super League season.
All 16 teams have been hard at work getting down to business with pre-season training in preparation for another anticipated gruelling campaign.
The clubs have freshened their squads, bringing in new players and releasing others.
The year 2023 will most certainly go down as one the University of the Western Cape’s fine seasons. They were top of the table towards the end (while Sundowns Ladies was tied up with continental duties), but lost their way, and the title, with five games remaining.
TOP TWO FINISHES SINCE WOMEN’S FOOTBALL LEAGUE INCEPTION:
2019/2020:
- Sundowns Ladies – 64 points
- TUT – 55 pts
2021:
- Sundowns Ladies – 73 pts
- TUT – 59 pts
2022:
- Sundowns Ladies – 82 pts
- UWC – 68 pts
2023:
- Sundowns Ladies – 81 pts
- UWC – 75 pts
NEW PLAYERS:
As is the norm with the start of every season, teams go out in search of better talent to keep their squad fresh and ready for the rigours of competition.
The 2024 season is no different as several clubs have ventured into the market and signed new players.
CentreCircle.online has compiled the following list:
Banyana Ba Style appear to have been going about their business quietly during the off-season when it comes to recruiting players. Head Coach Jerry Tshabalala has secured the prized signatures of youngsters Cimone Sauls from JVW as well as Nthabiseng Majiya from Richmond United.
They could make more announcements to increase their playing personnel.
Sundowns Ladies:
Cimone Sauls:
- Played for both the South African U17 and U20 Women’s National Teams
- Has also made her Banyana Banyana debut
- In 2021 joined the JVW Hollywoodbets Super League team, and nominated Young Player of the Season
- Helped JVW to a fourth and third place finish in 2022 and 2023 respectively
Nthabiseng Majiya:
- From Phillippolis in the Free State
- Helped Richmond United to a 7th place finish in two successive years in the Hollywoodbets Super League
- Was part of the Banyana Banyana that won their first ever TotalEnergies CAF Women’s Africa Cup of Nations title in Morocco in 2022
- Scored against Botswana in that tournament
- Was the youngest player in the South African team at the 2022 WAFCON – at the time was a Grade 11 learner from Orio High School in De Aar, Northern Cape
- Has played U20 level
The TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies Football Club has made wholesale changes to their squad, releasing 11 players and signing nine new ones from various clubs.
NEW SIGNINGS:
- Tshepang Korobele (24 years)
From Durban Ladies, Forward/Attacking Midfielder
- Sibongile Ntoane (21)
From Royal AM, attacking midfielder
- Thabiso Senyatsi
From First Touch Academy, winger
- Lebogang Mpakanyane (20)
From Rustenburg Ladies, Forward
- Lindiwe Nkambule (22)
From Springs Home Sweepers, Defender
- Ogone Motshabi (19)
From Mafikeng Ladies (North West), Attacking Midfielder
- Kelebogile Mfati (17)
From Mathaithai FC, Midfielder
- Siyanda Myathaza (18)
From Kathorus Ladies, Defender
- Jienet Mohale (returning)
Released:
- Dikgopa Mosima
- Lerato Williams
- Desire Ndinisa
- Nikiwe Mashego
- Rethabile Mohlouoa
- Yolisa Ntsabo
- Zinise Norris
- Sonto Mnisi
- Pride Nthite
- Tshikumba Madembe
- Mokgadi Mahlaola
University of Pretoria has also been busy on the market, bringing in 10 players.
- Mbali Ndlovu – Goalkeeper
Promoted from Tuks reserve team
- Ntando Phahla – Centre Back
From Sunflower WFC (Sasol League)
- Jabulile Tshabangu – Centre Back
From Copperbelt Ladies
- Inge Kamba – Forward/Left Winger
From Magic Ladies FC
- Mpho Motsatse – Left Back
From Copperbelt Ladies
- Tiisang Leseyane – Center Back/Right Back
From JVWFC
- Thato Mohlele – Center Back/Right Back/Right Winger
From Ma-Indies Ladies
- Tebogo Motale – Midfielder
From Vikings Ladies (Sasol League)
- Machaka Makua – Right Wing
From First Touch Academy
- Tarabhan Pemu – Center Back/defensive Center Midfielder
Promoted from the Tuks Reserve Team
Released:
- Relebogile Phala
Moved to Cape Town
JVW FC
The Blue Diamonds, who finished in third place last season, have moved quickly to secure the services of new players to bolster their senior team.
The club has also announced that retired defender Janine van Wyk will join the backroom staff as one of the assistant coaches alongside Unathi Mabena, with Bafana Nhlapo as the Goalkeeper Coach.
Head Coach Mitch Stevens remains in the helm.
They have brought in the following players:
- Nomathamsanqa Sikweza – Defender: From UJ Ladies
- Mmabatho Mogale – Midfielder: From Tuks Ladies
- Taylor Berkovic – Defender: JVW Development Graduate
- Tanna Holis – Forward: JVW Development Graduate
- Julia Goncalves – Midfielder: JVW Development Graduate
They have also bid farewell to three players:
- Cimone Sauls (Joined Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies)
- Tiisang Leseyane (Joined Tuks Ladies)
- Mary Ntsweng
Richmond United:
Signed three players:
- Lucia Lebone Gaonwe from Durban Ladies
- Ntaoleng Tsheledi from Lesotho
- Roseline Dube from Zimbabwe.
TS Galaxy Queens:
- Announced Ashram Calvert as their new coach after parting ways with Sizwe Sibiya
- Also out of the TS Galaxy Queens nest is Banyana Banyana midfielder Nomvula Kgoale – it is still not clear what her next destination is.
At the time of writing, there were no updates from the other teams in the league.
By Matlhomola Morake
