The University of Johannesburg Ladies’ (UJ) hopes of finishing in fifth position suffered a dent when they were defeated 3-0 by reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies in a Hollywoodbets Super League fixture played on Wednesday (23 November 2022) in Soweto.
UJ finished in 9th place last season.
Despite conceding in the 11th minute to a Miche Minnies strike, the students held their own in the opening half but could not find the back of the net.
In the second half the visitors’ experience came to the fore as they increased their lead through defender Tiisetso Makhubela – her first goal of the season – before Minnies completed her brace five minutes later.
The Cape Town-born striker is now on 22 goals – just two behind leader of the pack Boitumelo Rabale, with Andisiwe Mgcoyi a good distance adrift on 12 while Melinda Kgadiete and Rhoda Mulaudzi have scored 10 and eight respectively.
This was the Brazilians’ 26th win of the season in 29 matches, with two losses and a draw.
The hosts were also undone by a red card suffered to one of their players in the second stanza.
UJ has now lost nine games, winning 14 and drawing six others.
This was their defeat in a row against Sundowns Ladies in two seasons:
- 2-0
- 1-0
- 3-1
- 3-0
UJ Ladies lie sixth on the table with just one match remaining – they host First Touch FC on Saturday (26 November). Victory here could see them finish fifth – their highest since the advent of the elite women’s league.
But their fate is in the hands of Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies who are just one spot above – they come face to face with City Lads Ladies.
Banyana Ba Style have amassed 79 points this season, scoring 122 goals in the process, and conceded 11.
Sundowns Ladies round off the season with a clash against Richmond Ladies, also on Saturday.
In another clash, JVW bounced back to winning ways when they defeated Thunderbirds Ladies 4-1 at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium in East London.
In their last outing, the Blue Diamonds suffered a late 3-2 loss to UJ Ladies.
But this time around, goals from Gabby Salgado, captain Nompumelelo Nyandeni and Robyn Moodaly in the first half, and a fourth one in the second stanza by Martha Kgadi Mahlaola were enough to give the JVW victory over Thunderbirds.
They are now fourth on the table and have now collected 57 points in 29 outings – this after 18 wins, three draws and eight defeats.
Thunderbirds suffered their 14th loss, leaving them 11th on the log standings with 35 points.
In their final matches of the season, JVW takes on the relegated Tsunami Queens, while Thunderbirds will be hoping to fly over Ma-Indies Ladies.
By Matlhomola Morake
