The University of the Western Cape (UWC) – in their first match since 22 October – dented their Hollywoodbets Super League title aspirations when they were defeated 1-0 by Richmond United at Merino Park in De Aar, Northern Cape.
Reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns are currently in Cote d’Ivoire for the CAF Women’s Champions League, but will be watching the proceedings back home with keen interest.
RICHMOND UNITED 1 – 0 UWC
In the current campaign, the Capetonians are perhaps better-placed than they have ever been over the past few seasons in terms of trying to wrestle the championship from the Brazilians, but the lost points on Saturday (11 November) will do them no favours and has perhaps left Head Coach Thinasonke Mbuli unhappy.
This is also their second loss in a row, and the first time they have suffered back to back defeats in 2023.
In their last fixture before the international break, UWC were beaten 1-0 by Sundowns Ladies, who are tied neck and neck at the top of the table with the Cape Town outfit on 66 points each – but the defending champions have a superior goal difference, as well as a game in hand.
The Blues will have no time to wallow in their sorrow as they return to action on Wednesday (15 November 2023) in the Varsity Derby – one of their three remaining away games. They are left with a total of four matches
The Capetonians are expected to go for the jugular when they face a stubborn University of Pretoria (Tuks Ladies) at the University of Pretoria Stadium in a 15h00 kick off. Mbuli’s charges will however go with confidence after they won the first round fixture 3-0, but they are also aware that another negative result could be a serious dent in their league title aspirations, and almost hand the championship to Sundowns Ladies.
FIRST TOUCH 0 – 0 JVW
In the only other match played this past weekend, JVW were held to a goalless draw by First Touch at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Limpopo.
The Blue Diamonds, who are third on the table, were in a mean mood in their midweek clash (Wednesday, 7 November) as they beat a visiting Durban Ladies 6-1.
But it appeared the goals dried out against First Touch in Polokwane on Sunday (12 November).
JVW, however, will be happy with a point after a long trip to Limpopo -which takes them to 57 points, three more than TS Galaxy who were not in action this past weekend and have a game in hand.
With three fixtures remaining, the Blue Diamonds are nine points behind Sundowns Ladies and the second-placed UWC.
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE FIXTURES:
| Saturday, 11 November 2023 | |||
| RICHMOND UNTED | 1 – 0 | UWC | MERINO PARK, De Aar, Northern Cape |
| Sunday, 12 November 2023 | |||
| FIRST TOUCH | 0 – 0 | JVW | OLD PETER MOKABA STADIUM, Polokwane |
By Matlhomola Morake
