Second-placed University of the Western Cape has a chance to return to the summit of the Hollywoodbets Super League when they host a struggling Ma-Indies Ladies at the UWC Stadium in Cape Town.
This is one of five matches scheduled for Saturday, 2 September 2023 – two others have been pencilled in for Sunday, 3 September while the University of Pretoria (Tuks Ladies) get a bye – due to the absence of log leaders and reigning champions, Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies who have a regional assignment in the 2023 CAF Women’s Champions League | COSAFA qualifiers currently underway in Durban.
UWC vs Ma-Indies: 15h00
In their first round clash, Thinasonke Mbuli’s charges defeated the Limpopo side 5-0.
With the Brazilians out of action, a win for UWC will see them jump to the top spot.
The Capetonians are on 48 points – with a game in hand – two points behind Sundowns Ladies who only return to the domestic league on the 16th of September.
The Blues will have played three matches by then. The Cape Town side is expected to parade returnee Noxolo Cesane, who spent the last year abroad – in France and Mexico – but they have lost midfielder Kholosa Biyana, who was snapped up by the Banyana Ba Style.
City Lads Ladies vs Thunderbirds Ladies: 15h00
In the Eastern Cape Derby, City Lads Ladies will be hoping to wipe off the 5-0 hammering they received from Tuks Ladies when they host fellow strugglers Thunderbirds Ladies who return to action for the first time since the World Cup break. The match will be played at the Gelvandale Stadium in Gqeberha.
City Lads have amassed 14 points after 20 matches and find themselves hovering around the relegation zone in position 13, while Thunderbirds are in deep trouble with only nine points from 19 outings – the latter is 15th on the table.
The visitors haven’t won a game in nine fixtures, with only one draw in the process.
TUT vs Royal AM: 15h00
Fourth-placed Royal AM brought down Tuks Ladies to Mother Earth with a 1-0 win, bringing to an abrupt end an eight-match winning streak.
The KwaZulu Natal outfit will be hoping to continue from where they left off when they travel to the TUT Pretoria Stadium for a date with the Tshwane University of Technology.
Royal AM is eight points behind UWC and will be eager to stay within touching distance with victory against TUT – who have signed five new players, Madembe Tshikumbu, Zinise Morris, Betty Mallela, Kgadi Mahlaola and Pride Nthite.
Coal City Wizards vs First Touch FC: 15h00
Mpumalanga’s Coal City Wizards is dancing with danger in position 14 on the table, and negative results could see them dragged into the relegation quagmire. They welcome First Touch FC, who have been blowing hot and cold this season. The clash takes place at the Puma Stadium.
Copperbelt Ladies vs Durban Ladies: 15h00
The Old Peter Mokaba Stadium in Polokwane will be the scene of the battle between newcomers Copperbelt Ladies and Durban Ladies. The hosts narrowly lost to Sundowns Ladies this past weekend and will be eager to build from that performance to overcome the Durbanites.
In their earlier meeting this season, Copperbelt was at the wrong end of a 3-1 result, but will be confident of a positive outcome after announcing seven new players – Lischen Ranoto (striker), Jennifer Martin (striker), Sinovuyo Fodo (centre back), Zandisiwe “Zero” Mkhaphuza (winger), Caryn van Ryneveld (attacking Midfielder), Maite “Shuffle” Makola (attacking Midfielder) and Abigail Peterson (left back).
Sunday, 3 September 2023
UJ vs Richmond United: 15h00
Two matches are scheduled for Sunday.
In Soweto, the University of Johannesburg entertain Richmond United, who start life without their captain Malebogo “Katsande” Shawe who is now on the books of the defending champions (Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies).
But the Northern Cape club will be in high spirits following a cash injection of R3m from the Provincial Government.
UJ Ladies will be hoping to spoil the party, especially after they narrowly (1-0) lost at home to UWC in their previous fixture.
TS Galaxy Queens vs JVW: 15h00
Fireworks are expected when debutants, TS Galaxy Queens, welcome the travelling JVW to the Solomon Mahlangu Stadium in Mpumalanga.
Both sides are on 40 points each, and victory for either side will be a huge boost towards closing the gap with the log leaders and UWC.
This will be an interesting battle as both teams have won 12 matches each – JVW has played 19 while TS Galaxy Queens a game less. Their first round clash ended in a 1-all stalemate.
The Mpumalanga team is third on the table, with the Blue Diamonds two places down – separated by the fourth-placed Royal AM, who also have the same number of points.
By Matlhomola Morake
