The University of the Western (UWC) returned to the summit of the Hollywoodbets Super League table after a 3-0 win over the University of Pretoria in a midweek clash (Wednesday, 15 November 2023) played in Tshwane.
Not only did the Capetonians collect maximum points but they also claimed bragging rights in the Varsity Derby – triumphant by the same score line from the first round meeting.
With the victory, the Blues have now resurrected their title aspirations following the 1-0 defeat they suffered against Richmond United (last weekend), denting their chances of lifting the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League when they are so close like never before.
After 27 games, UWC is on 69 points – three more than Sundowns Ladies, who have two games in hand.
The reigning league champions are in Cote d’Ivoire competing in the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League. They won the tournament in 2021, and have a chance to repeat the achievement when they take on Moroccan side SC Casablanca in the final on Sunday (19 November) at 19h00.
This the Brazilians’ third final in a row since the inception of the competition three years ago – the only team to achieve the feat on the continent.
They’re expected back home early next week to resume and complete the 2023 Hollywoodbets Super League campaign, which they still stand a chance of retaining – as matters stand.
Seven matches have been scheduled for Sunday, 19 November, with none pencilled in for Saturday (18 November).
Only the University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies), along with the Brazilians, will not be playing this weekend.
JVW vs UWC: 15H00
There is everything to play for when UWC returns to action against JVW – their third match in seven days – at the UJ Stadium in Soweto in the “Battle of the Blues.”
This is another big match-up for the two teams – the Capetonians looking to extend the gap against the second placed Sundowns Ladies, while the third-placed Blue Diamonds are eager to collect maximum points to finish as high as possible after completing their league assignment in fourth place in 2021 and 2022.
The visitors hold the advantage after winning the first round tie 2-0.
FIRST TOUCH vs TS GALAXY QUEENS VS : 1500
The Hollywoodbets Super League double headers are back and this time around will be held in Polokwane.
The Rugby Field next to the Peter Mokaba Stadium will host the fourth-placed TS Galaxy Queens, who will be looking to maintain their charge towards the third position, currently occupied by JVW. The Rockets face off with First Touch at 15h00. After 26 games, TS Galaxy is on 54 points, three adrift of JVW.
MA-INDIES LADIES vs UNIV. OF PRETORIA: 11H30
In the other clash of the double header, Ma-Indies Ladies have an early kick-off (11h30) for their penultimate match in women’s top flight football after suffering relegation not so long ago.
They face a wounded University of Pretoria side that lost 3-0 midweek to the title-chasing UWC.
The students, who are making their first appearance in the Hollywoodbets Super League this year, are also looking for a top finish. They are currently sixth on the table and the highest they can get to is fourth – depending on how other results go.
ROYAL AM vs THUNDERBIRDS LADIES: 15h00
At the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg, Royal AM welcomes 14th placed Thunderbirds Ladies who managed to escape relegation after a difficult season.
The hosts are fifth on the table on 49 points with three games to go – and will be looking to maintain their position with Tuks Ladies breathing down their necks three points behind.
RICHMOND UNITED vs TUT: 15h00
In a mid-table clash, Richmond United will be eager to continue from where they left off after defeating the high-riding UWC last weekend.
The seventh-placed Northern Cape outfits entertains the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) – who are in position 10 – at Merino Park in De Aar.
After finishing seventh last season, Richmond would perhaps want to improve their position – but may have run out of time with only two games remaining.
DURBAN LADIES vs COAL CITY WIZARDS: 13h00
The relegated Coal City Wizards will travel to the coast for a date with Durban Ladies at the King Zwelithini Stadium at 13h00, and the home side may want inflict further pain on the Mpumalanga side as they (Durban Ladies) want to go up the standings. The KwaZulu Natal outfit is currently ninth on 41 points with two games to go.
Coal City will be playing penultimate match in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
CITY LADS LADIES vs COPPERBELT LADIES: 11h30
Copperbelt Ladies, promoted to the elite women’s football league this season, have done well to stay afloat in the competition. Currently 12th on the table, they will perhaps be happy with their season and will want to finish on a high with the remaining two games.
They visit City Lads Ladies who had a topsy-turvy 2023 campaign but managed to escape relegation and find themselves on 22 points after 28 games.
The two sides meet in Gqeberha at the Isaac Wolfson Stadium at 11h30.
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE FIXTURES:
| Sunday, 19 November 2023 | |||
| CITY LADS | vs | COPPERBELT LADIES | Isaac Wolfson Stadium, Gqeberha: 11h30 |
| MA-INDIES LADIES | vs | UNIV. OF PRETORIA | Rugby Field next to Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane: 11h30 |
| DURBAN LADIES | vs | COAL CITY WIZARDS | King Zwelithini Stadium, Umlazi: 13h00 |
| FIRST TOUCH | vs | TS GALAXY QUEENS | Rugby Field next to Peter Mokaba Stadium, Polokwane: 15h00 |
| JVW | vs | UWC | UJ Soccer Stadium, Soweto: 15h00 |
| RICHMOND UNITED | vs | TUT | Merino Park, De Aar, Norther Cape: 15h00 |
| ROYAL AM | vs | THUNDERBIRDS LADIES | Harry Gwala Stadium, Pietermaritzburg: 15h00 |
By Matlhomola Morake
