The University of the Western Cape (UWC) are the 2023 Women’s Varsity Football champions after a comfortable 2-0 win over defending champions the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in the final played at the TUT Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, 19 August 2023.
It was a repeat of last year’s final but this time the roles were reversed. This was UWC’s second title in three years – they lifted the trophy in 2021.
The Orange Army lost concentration early in the game and UWC drew first blood inside the opening 10 minutes courtesy of a Lonathemba Mhlongo goal.
UJ were limited in chances and failed to get back into the game.
A star-studded UWC team remained in control throughout most of the game with the combination of Banyana Banyana’s Bongeka Gamede and Snegugu Zondi keeping things solid in the middle of the park.
The Western Cape side had a slender 1-0 advantage at the break.
Thinasonke Mbuli’s charges picked up where they left off as they returned from the tunnel rejuvenated.
UWC doubled their lead 13 minutes after the break when Katlego Mabuza was fed a cheeky through ball and easily beat the UJ keeper.
UWC’s Chelsea Daniels, a nominee for player of the tournament, was stretchered off injured in the 67th minute.
The Capetonians held on and were crowned champions – their second title since 2021, with midfielder Bongeka Gamede claiming her back to back Player of the Match after some exciting performance – showing her experience following her return from the 2023 FIFA Women’s World Cup with the Sasol-sponored Banyana Banyana in Australia and New Zealand.
Gamede played every minute of every match Down Under, but still had enough legs to feature in the semi-final and the final for UWC.
UJ’s Lusanda Mavundla walked away with the top honours – 2023 FNB Varsity Football Player of the Tournament and Suzuki Golden Boot award, pocketing R10K and R3500 respectively.
UWC keeper Siphesihle Dlamini UJ’s shot stopper Matshidiso Masebe shared the Cashbuild Golden Glove accolade.
Scorers: UWC – Lonathemba Mhlongo, Katlego Mabuza
UJ: Matshidiso Masebe, Boitumelo Rasehlo, Yolanda Nduli, Nokuthula Sekhukhuni, Lerato Lefa, Shannon Macomo, Ayesha Moosa, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Sthembile Sandleni, Kabelo Mokoena, Lusanda Mavundla
UWC: Siphesihle Dlamini, Lonathemba Mhlongo, Sinegugu Zondi, Lindokuhle Gladile, Fikile Magama, Bongeka Gamede, Khanyisa Manengela, Katlego Mabuza, Tiffany Kortjie, Nabeelah Galant, Chelsea Daniels.
By Matlhomola Morake
