The stage has been set for a thrilling end to the 2023 Sasol League National Champs, currently underway in Rocklands, Bloemfontein.
It started with nine provincial winners, now the curtain comes down on the week-long tournament when the last two standing contest the final and bragging rights to be crowned Sasol League National champions.
This will be when newcomers, Eastern Cape’s University of Fort Hare (UFH) goes toe to with KwaZulu Natal’s Lindelani Ladies, who are making their third appearance in the competition.
In 2021 in at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi near Durban, Lindelani managed to finish in third place behind winners, the now defunct Vasco da Gama and runners up City Lads Ladies.
Last year in Polokwane they were the hosts, but again couldn’t achieve their goal, falling in the semi-finals once more. But they never gave up and went back to the drawing board.
In 2023 in Bloemfontein they got off to a horrible start, losing 1-0 to eventual finalists, For Hare.
With the odds heavily stacked against them, they sneaked through to the last four with a better goal difference after beating Royal Wizards 5-1 – knocking out the University of Cape Town, who were a shoe in.
Lindelani’s biggest test was in the semi-finals, and with lots of injuries in their team, they limped into the final following a 3-0 victory over favourites and the experienced Croesus, setting up a mouth-watering finale.
“People often say the final is the cherry on top, but for me the cherry on top was winning the semi-final. I believe we are going to win the final too, and I will give the youngsters a chance, especially those that didn’t play so they can showcase their talent,” said a beaming Nkosinathi Vilakazi, the owner and coach of Lindelani.
Lindelani’s opponents may be inexperienced but they have a lot of determination.
Making their debut in the tournament, Fort Hare cruised through the group stages, beating both Royal Wizards and the same Lindelani 4-2 and 1-0 respectively.
The Eastern Cape side would, however, face their stiffest test in the semi-final, as they took on other favourites, Ramatlaohle Ladies.
But the students prevailed 5-4 on penalties after 2-all stalemate at the end of regulation time.
“For me, playing Ramatlaohle was the final before the final. I believe we will be calmer in the final against Lindelani, with no pressure because we are facing a side we have met before. I think it’s going to be exciting as they will be wanting to exert revenge after we beat them one nil in the group stages, but they have the experience, they have been here before. So I believe it’s going to be an exciting final and we will give it our best,” said coach Ayanda Mnakaniso.
By qualifying for the final, both Lindelani and Fort Hare University secured tickets to the Hollywoodbets Super League for the 2024 season.
The KwaZulu Natal province will now have three representatives in the South African elite women’s football league – Lindelani Ladies, Royal AM and Durban Ladies, while the Eastern Cape has Fort Hare University, Thunderbirds Ladies and City Lads Ladies.
The remaining battle in the 2023 Sasol League National champs is for gold and trophy – with the winners guaranteed R200-thousand, while the runners up will pocket R100-thousand.
Entry at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium is free.
By Matlhomola Morake
