The University of Johannesburg (UJ) will take on defending champions the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in the final of the 2025 Varsity Women’s Football.
The fixture will be played at the UJ Soccer Stadium in Soweto on Friday, 19 September.
This match up was highly expected after both sides finished top of their groups following the conclusion of the round robin stage. They continued with the momentum in the semi-finals.
First to qualify for the final was UWC who had to dig deep against a resolute Wits University, winning 1-0 courtesy of a Thembelihle Zulu’s header late in the second half. The Johannesburg based side was solid in defence and thwarted every move by the coastal outfit – and it was no surprise when Wits goalkeeper Nthabiseng Ramaisa was named the Player of the Match.
The Capetonians are now just one match away from retaining their title – which will be their fourth after wins in 2021 and also in the last two years (2023, 2024).
This final will be a repeat of the 2022 and 2023 fixture: three years ago UJ won 5-3 on penalties after the clash ended in a goalless draw. But UWC turned the tables a year later when they edged out UJ 2-0 to lift the trophy.
SCORERS:
UWC: Thembelihle Zulu.
Player of the Match: Nthabiseng Ramaisa, (Wits)
TEAMS:
UWC:
Thandeka Ngcobo, Mmabatho Mogale, Unathi Simayile, Fikile Magama, Zikhona Nogqala, Faith Maswanganyi, Akholiwe Matsotsi, Nwabisa Qoba, Bandile Mthethwa, Tiffany Kortjie, Chelsea Daniels.
Wits:
Nthabiseng Ramaisa, Thalente Ntamane, Thalente Ntshiza, Bacebile Ngema, Lusanda Nyathi, Lenees Wattie, Naathierah Hendricks, Eloza Ncumeza, Aliyaah Allie, Ayanda Mnyembane, Beyonce Van Wyk.
UJ Ladies did not have to sweat much as they triumphed 3-0 over TUT in the other semi-final.
The hosts took the lead 18 minutes into the encounter with the ever-reliable Thato Mofolo hitting the back of the net – thanks to a delightful pass from the hard-working Sbongakonke Mzobe.
After the recess, UJ continued where they left off and stretched their lead through Sthembile Msomi. The Tshwane side almost reduced the deficit in the 64th minute but the upright came to UJ’s rescue.
Defender Shannon Macomo also got in on the act when he confirmed TUT’s defeat with the third goal for UJ, setting up a mouth-watering final against UWC.
After four matches in the competition, UJ remain the only team that is yet to concede, and, just like UWC, have won four out of four.
SCORERS
UJ: Thato Mofolo, Sthembile Msomi, Shannon Macomo.
Player of the Match: Shannon Macomo, UJ
TEAMS:
UJ: Manana Myeki, Shannon Macomo, Portia Masilela, Kabelo Mokoena, Nokuthula Sekhukhuni, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Sthembile Sandleni, Gugulethu Dhlamini, Thato Mofolo, Kamogelo Maponya, Sthembile Msomi.
TUT: Rebaona Tshoma, Paballo Chela, Lindiwe Nkambule, Nonzuzo Buthelezi, Mahlodi Mokoena, Karabo Mohajane, Palesa Ntsholo, Samukelisiwe Thwala, Thabiso Senyatsi, Mokgaetji Ramanna, Tshepang Mosehla.
UP-Tuks finished in fifth place in the 2025 Varsity Women’s Football tournament following a 2-1 win over NWU. Banyana Banyana forward Wendy Shongwe showed the Tshwane side meant business when she scored in the 7thminute for a 1-0 lead at the break.
With their never-say-die spirit, NWU had a glimmer of hope when they found the equaliser in the second half – Naledi Mooketsi on the scoresheet. But the joy was short-lived when Mmakgotso Mashishi restored Tuks’ lead with six minutes remaining on the clock – a strike that turned out to be the difference between the two sides.
SCORERS
UP-Tuks: Wendy Shongwe, Mmakgotso Rose Mashishi.
NWU: Naledi Mooketsi.
Player of the Match: Mmakhgotso Rose Mashishi (UP-Tuks).
UP-Tuks: Kay-Dee Windvogel, Masindi Maselela, Maria Manganas, Zikhona Mgotya, Sbahle Ndlovu, Rethabile Makhwela, Mmakhgotso Rose Mashishi, Tebogo Motale, Wendy Shongwe, Tshwarelo Setlhafuno, Mamie Rebombo.
NWU: Grace Mabo, Londeka Mabeba, Thandi Dondolo, Vuyokazi Thambe, Kelebogile Seane, Mbalentle Dlikilili, Neo Montshosi, Lesego Dibakwana, Veronicca Maswanganye, Nontobeko Gumede, Naledi Mooketsi.
Newcomers Univen bowed out without winning a single match in the 2025 edition of the Varsity Women’s Football – in fact the lost all their four games in the tournament.
In their final fixture, they fell to the Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT), suffering a 4-0 defeat.
The writing was on the wall when the Capetonians took the lead in the second minute through Zilungile Mathiya – who added to her tally just two minutes later to make it 2-0 barely four minutes into the clash.
Sinelisiwe Phumlomo grabbed the third of the day for CPUT in the 40th minute with second half substitute Asekho Nqodi put the matter beyond doubt with a fine header in referee’s optional time. 4-0 is how it ended in favour of CPUT.
It was a baptism of fire for the Limpopo team as they leave the tournament with most goals conceded – 27 in four games, and scored only one.
SCORERS
CPUT: Zilungile Mathiya (2), Sinelisiwe Phumlomo, Asekho Nqodi
Player of the Match: Zilungile Mathiya (CPUT)
CPUT: Cassidy Primo, Liyema Tom, Sthembiso Williams, Clio Jordan Smidt, Sinothile Makhanya, Zilungile Mathiya, Mosetsanagape Leepile, Zinhle Hlela, Mesuli Bhungalipheli, Banele Ndlela, Sinelisiwe Phumlomo.
UNIVEN: Nyeleti Mathebula, Ayanda Mashilo Mabapa, Mankgopo Nelly Phoshoko, Advice Mohlala, Mulalo Mudau, Khumbula Radu, Thandululo Tshibasani, Wam Hope Rikhotso, Thabelo Mudau, Andani Dabana, Thubelihle Mbokazi.
Round 1 Results:
- CPUT 0 – 1 Wits
- Tuks 5 – 1 Univen
- UJ 4 – 0 NWU
- UWC 2 – 1 TUT
Round 2 Results:
- NWU 2 – 1 CPUT
- TUT 1 – 1 Tuks
- UWC 10 – 0 Univen
- Wits 0 – 2 UJ
Round 3 Results:
- UWC 2 – 0 Tuks
- UJ 4 – 0 CPUT
- NWU 2 – 2 Wits
- TUT 8 – 0 Univen
Round 4 Fixtures:
- CPUT 4 – 0 Univen
- UP-Tuks 2 – 1 NWU
- UWC 1 – 0 Wits
- UJ 3 – 0 TUT
FINAL FIXTURE:
- UJ vs UWC
Friday, 19 September 2025
UJ Soccer Stadium, Soweto
By Matlhomola Morake
(Additional reporting by varsitysportssa.com)
