In a repeat of the 2022 final, defending champions UJ will take on UWC to determine the winner of the 2023 Women’s Varsity Football competition.
The Orange Army comprehensively beat Wits in the first semi-final while UWC swept past UP-Tuks in the second semi-final.
UWC 1 – 0 UP-TUKS
The second semi-final saw UWC putting in quite a shift to get a 1-0 win over UP-Tuks to set up a meeting with UJ.
The first half was a tight battle, with the stats favouring UWC, who looked threatening with their speedy wingers. Tuks struggled to create any clear-cut opportunities in the opening 20 minutes. The first goal did however come in the 22nd minute when striker Chelsea Daniels benefitted from a loose ball on the edge of the Tuks box – she shrugged off a challenge to poke home for the opener. That is how the score line remained at the interval.
The second stanza saw the arm wrestle continue with UWC continuously moving the ball swiftly, combining well but with Tuks remaining resolute at the back. Tuks tried to find a way back but struggled to get their goal poachers going, with the ladies from the Western Cape keeping their composure to keep any threats out.
UWC were, fortunately, able to hold onto their first-half lead to set up a repeat of the 2022 final against UJ.
Scorers: UWC – Chelsea Daniels
Player of the match: Bongeka Gamede (UWC)
UWC: Siphesihle Dlamini, Lindokuhle Gladile, Sinegugu Zondi, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Fikile Magama, Bongeka Gamede, Khanyisa Manengela, Katlego Mabuza, Nabeelah Galant, Tiffany Kortjie, Chelsea Daniels
UP-Tuks: Kgothatso Manamela, Wendy Shongwe, Mmakhgotso Mashishi, Sinamile Mkhwanazi, S’bahle Ndlovu, Morongwa Manamela, Lesedi Petlane, Relebogile Phala, Ibanathi Msindo, Siyamthanda Qashani, Zikhona Mgotywa
UJ 3 – 0 WITS
The first semi-final saw a fierce battle between the two Johannesburg rivals – UJ and Wits, with the Orange Army eventually running out 3-0 victors.
The first half was a cagey affair, with UJ looking more threatening on the attack. Wits did well however in defence to remain compact, keeping the barrage of UJ attacks at bay.
The Orange Army did have a few opportunities to take the lead, which included two free kicks just outside the Wits box, but were squandered as they sailed over the bar on both occasions. At the break, it was still deadlocked with no goal on the board for either side.
The two teams returned unchanged from the dressing room and the flow remained much like the first half.
UJ were rewarded for their efforts three minutes after the restart – Wits keeper Bridgette Moekwa failed to read a cross played in and the Orange Army’s Lusanda Mavundla opening the scoring for her side.
Wits failed to get going up front, with the midfield struggling to link with the attackers. UJ continued to string more passes together, always looking like they were going to score, which eventually happened twice in additional time. Mavundla grabbed her brace in the 71st minute, while Sbongakonke Mzobe came off the bench to net a third for the Orange Army to run away comfortable 3-0 winners.
Scorers: UJ – Lusanda Mavundla (2), Sbongakonke Mzobe
Player of the match: Lusanda Mavundla (UJ)
UJ: Matshidiso Masebe, Atlegang Mogale, Boitumelo Rasehlo, Lerato Lefa, Nokuthula Sekhukhuni, Kabelo Mokoena, Shannon Macomo, Sthembile Sandleni, Sthandile Msomi, Ayesha Moosa , Lusanda Mavundla
Wits: Ayanda Mnyembane, Bridgette Moekwa, Sakhi Mnomiya, Thalente Ntamane, Francesca Dobrovolsky, Megan Wade, Nthabiseng Ramaisa , Mahlauli Pitso, Magogodi Litlhakanyane, Thalente Ntshiza, Lusanda Nyathi
TUT 3 – 0 UFH
Hosts TUT outplayed a struggling UFH in a battle for fifth and sixth position, winning the encounter 3-0.
TUT had a clear mandate going into the game and used their pacey wingers to launch their productive attacks and were rewarded with two goals in quick succession.
Tshegofatso Motlogelwa tapped in a rebound after Naledi Thakanyane’s shot hit the post. Thakanyane finally got her name on the score sheet three minutes later with a shot from close range to double TUT’s advantage taking a 2-0 cushion into the break.
Christina Kutumela’s side continued their sublime form in the second half. They posed threats to the UFH defence and they finally got through when goalkeeper Dinwayo Amahle fouled Motlogelwa inside the box. The latter dusted herself off and made no mistake from 12 yards – her second goal of the afternoon, and third for the hosts.
Scorers: TUT – Tshegofatso Motlogelwa (2), Naledi Thakanyane
Player of the match: Asanda Msuthu (TUT)
TUT: Glanny Mafikeng, Tsholofelo Hope Ngako, Bophelo Mmatli, Asanda Msuthu, Tshogofatso Motlogelwa, Naledi Thakanyane, Sharol Dineo Ramaoka, Tracey Sibuyi, Yolisa Ntsabo, Mapule Khumalo, Paballo Chela
UFH: Dinwayo Amahle, Makaula Ambeswa, Zifune Mamela, Sonkwala Amahle, Zinyusile Bakholise, Jaxa Sesethu, Magqaza Nosikho, Mankayi Nasiphe, Ncayiyana Busiswa, Ngece Nizole, Sakela Lime
DUT 1 (5) – 1 (4) UKZN (DUT won 5-4 on penalties)
DUT won the KwaZulu-Natal derby when they beat UKZN 5-4 on penalties to finish seventh.
Both teams started sluggish with no side posing any threat to their counterparts, until the 15th minute when Zime Buthelezi almost scored a sensation goal from a corner kick as she saw her curled shot hitting the upright.
UKZN made double changes in the first half in a desperate attempt to make an impact on the action but failed to materialise. There was no advantage for either side at the break with the score at 0-0.
The second half produced breath-taking moments and fruitful efforts as DUT took an early lead five minutes into the last stanza. Wandile Dladla headed home a perfectly delivered corner to hand her side the advantage.
Their celebrations were cut short as UKZN came back in the game three minutes later, Asanda Nxele tapping home a rebound after the keeper failed to clear her line.
Dladla had two chances to put her team in front, but her efforts were unsuccessful, and the game headed for a penalty shootout.
DUT eventually walked away as the winners when they managed to convert all their penalties. Gugu Mhlongo missed the only penalty for UKZN.
Scorers: DUT – Wandile Dladla
UKZN – Asanda Nxele
Player of the match: Wandile Dladla (DUT)
DUT: Sanele Mnisi, Ongeziwe Masango, Sanelisiwe Mjoka, Mpelasonto Gwamanda, Amanda Aliah Shelembe, Zime Buthelezi, Nokwanda Xulu, Kholeka Siphokazi Bhengu, Wandile Nature Dladla, Xolile Duma, Xoliswa Ngubane
UKZN: Sinenhlahla Mtshali, Noncedo Dlulwakho, Unathi Ntsele, ZamaShandu Dube, Fundiswa Dladla, Gugu Mhlongo, Silindile Precious Ndlovu, Thobeka Buthelezi, Sphesihle Fihlela, Sinalo Fam, Thandeka Ntshangase
Source: Varsitysportssa.com
