Head coach of the University of the Western Cape (UWC), Thinasonke Mbuli, was elated that they managed to win their opening match of the 2022 Hollywoodbets Super League.
The clash took place at the Isaac Woolfson Stadium in Qgeberha on Saturday (23 April 2022).
UWC beat newcomers City Lads Ladies 2-1 with goals on either half from Banyana Banyana star Sibulele Holweni (26th) and Sinegugu Zondi (46th).
The hosts pulled one back in the 71st minute to open their league account in the goals tally column.
Mbuli was concerned that they have never won their first matches in the league and said this victory was very important as they go in search of the elusive title.
“It wasn’t a good win in terms of performance, may be the pitch had impact on that but we will take the three points because it was very important to start with a win. The past two seasons we didn’t win our first games, so today the mission was just to win the match, it didn’t matter how, but I am happy we won our first game,” said Mbuli on the club’s website.
UWC finished third on the table last season on 53 points – 20 behind champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies.
They won 15 of the 26 games played.
With the opening match out of the way, the next mission is winning all the home fixtures.
“We said we want to make sure that we win our home games because when we play away it is very tough. Next week is our home game and we will try and get the maximum points,” she added.
The Banyana Banyana assistant coach was also excited that fans are back in the stadiums, which will give her side a much-needed morale boost.
“Hopefully we will have the crowd to support us. For the past two years or so we never had supporters at our matches, so we hope that they will come and give support – hopefully we will give them a game that they can be proud of and win our first game of the season at home,” said Mbuli.
UWC will host the stubborn Bloemfontein Celtic on Saturday, 30 April 2022.
On the same day, the Tsunami Queens welcome Coal City Wizards, Durban Ladies are away to Thunderbirds Ladies, Richmond United entertain First Touch FC, while JVW FC take the long trip to Ma-Indies Ladies.
All matches kick off at 15h00.
On Sunday, 1 May there will be a triple header at the Tshwane University of Technology Stadium.
The first match kicks off at 09h00 where the University of Johannesburg FC will lock horns with Vasco da Gama, with reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies facing Golden Ladies at 11h00.
The final fixture of the weekend sees hosts TUT play against City Lads Ladies at 15h00.
** Durban Ladies and TUT will be playing their first matches after their opening clash was postponed due the KwaZulu Natal disaster **
Hollywoodbets Super League Week 2 Fixtures:
| Saturday, 30 April 2022 | ||
| UWC | vs | Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies |
| Tsunami Queens FC | vs | Coal City Wizards |
| Thunderbirds Ladies | vs | Durban Ladies FC |
| Richmond United | vs | First Touch FC |
| Ma-Indies Ladies | vs | JVW FC |
| Sunday, 1 May 2022 | ||
| UJ FC | vs | Vasco da Gama (09h00) |
| Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies | vs | Golden Ladies (11h30) |
| TUT | vs | City Lads Ladies (15h00) |
By Matlhomola Morake
