The South African Football Association (SAFA) in partnership with sponsors, Hollywoodbets, have unveiled the new trophy that will be lifted by the winners at the conclusion of the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League season – this after three-time victors Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies took home the previous silverware.
The new trophy will be paraded at the Lucas Moripe Stadium at the much-anticipated top-of-the-table clash between the reigning champions, the Brazilians, and JVW on Saturday, 14 October 2023.
Kickoff is at 15h00.
Sundowns Ladies vs JVW: 15h00
The fixture means there will be no rest for the Brazilians who were in midweek action (Wednesday, 11 October) and will play their third match in seven days.
They registered two convincing back to back 6-0 victories against City Lads Ladies and Durban Ladies, but will perhaps face one of their stiffest challenges in the third-placed JVW.
Their tightly-contested clash earlier this year was a five-goal thriller with the Brazilians clinching a 3-2 win.
The Blue Diamonds have gone 14 games unbeaten, winning 11 in the process. After 24 outings, they are on 53 points, four adrift of their Sundowns Ladies.
Both sides need all points they can get to stay within touching distance of the log leaders, UWC, who are not in action this weekend, alongside Tuks Ladies, TUT and Coal City Wizards.
The quartet’s matches were postponed due to the South African U20 World Cup qualifiers as well as Banyana Banyana’s participation in the Hollywoodbets COSAFA Women’s Championship.
City Lads Ladies vs Ma-Indies Ladies: 15h00
Ma-Indies Ladies’ stay in the Hollywoodbets Super League could be decided at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium in Gqeberha when they visit City Lads Ladies on Saturday.
The Limpopo side has eight points after 26 matches – and their hope lies with 14th placed Thunderbirds Ladies.
The latter outfit has 17 points, and with a win will be on 20 points, while a Ma-Indies loss will mean they remain on eight points with only three matches left – nine points to play for – and can only get to 17 points.
Should Ma-Indies’ fate be confirmed, the attention will turn to the team that will follow them to the Sasol League – one between Copperbelt Ladies, City Lads, Thunderbirds and Coal City Wizards, who are on 21, 18, 17 and 13 points respectively.
Richmond United vs First Touch Academy: 15h00
There will be no such problems for the pair of Richmond United and First Touch Academy as their status for next season is safe in the South African elite Women’s Football.
The two sides clash at Merino Park in De Aar in the Northern Cape, the home of Richmond United.
They sit seventh and 10th on the table with 40 and 29 points respectively.
The hosts will welcome back their influential player – Nthabiseng Majiya, who was on national team duty for the South African U20 Women’s National team.
Royal AM vs Durban Ladies: 15h00
The Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg will be the venue for the KwaZulu Natal Derby when Royal AM take on neighbours Durban Ladies.
Both teams come into the encounter with contrasting results – hosts Royal AM will be in high spirits after holding the league defending champions to a 1-all draw, while the visitors suffered a devastating 6-0 loss midweek against the same Sundowns Ladies.
After 23 games, Royal AM is fourth with 47 points and still harbour hopes of challenging for the league title, while Durban Ladies is ninth with 34 points.
Thunderbirds Ladies vs Copperbelt Ladies: 15h00
Thunderbirds Ladies are in a race against time to save their season – with only four fixtures remaining.
The Eastern Cape side is 14th on the log standings with 17 points, and in grave danger to be sliced by the relegation axe.
They welcome newcomers Copperbelt Ladies at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London.
A win for the hosts will help them ease their relegation worries, if only for a moment, but a loss could spell more trouble.
UJ Ladies vs TS Galaxy Queens: 15h00
In the last match of Saturday, TS Galaxy Queens visits the troubled University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) who haven’t won a match in their last four outings – managing only one draw in the process.
The Rockets will be eager to continue from their 5-1 win in their previous fixtures, while the Students will be hoping for a change of fortunes.
TS Galaxy is fifth on the table and UJ Ladies is eighth.
The match takes place at the UJ Stadium in Soweto and commences at 15h00.
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE FIXTURES:
Saturday, 14 October 2023
Sundowns Ladies vs JVW
Lucas Moripe Stadium
Pretoria
15h00
City Lads Ladies vs Ma-Indies Ladies
Isaac Wolfson Stadium
Gqeberha
15h00
Richmond United vs First Touch Academy
Merino Park
De Aar
15h00
Royal AM vs Durban Ladies
Harry Gwala Stadium
Pietermaritzburg
15h00
Thunderbirds Ladies vs Copperbelt Ladies
Sisa Dukashe Stadium
East London
15h00
UJ Ladies vs TS Galaxy Queens
UJ Stadium
Soweto
15h00
By Matlhomola Morake
