The highly anticipated 2018 Gauteng Sasol League kicks off

The highly anticipated 2018 Gauteng Sasol League started off with an intense first fixture for the Janine van Wyk Football Club (JVW).

The club encountered Pretoria-based Tuks at home on April 7 when the local women claimed victory.

Supporters arrived in numbers to witness, what was said to be, a fantastic opening match to this year’s edition of the provincial league.

JVW went out in full force and created several chances in front of the goal, which constantly kept the Tuks defense on their toes.

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Tuks resisted a few attempts but the seal was eventually broken when a pass to Mamello Makhabane was scrambled in the box, causing a failed clearance by the Tuks centre-back, resulting in an own goal.

Although JVW continued to put pressure on the travelling team, the score-line was held 1-0 until the halftime break.

For JVW, and after a splendid 45 minutes, Makhabane made way for Nomathemba Ntsibande, who was pushed further up the field with Angelique Ferreira slotting in alongside vice-captain, Nicole Irwin in the centre-back role.

Tuks seemed rejuvenated entering the second half with a new strategy, putting more pressure on JVW.

The supporters watched in anticipation when the opposing team was awarded a free-kick just outside the box.

Tuks skipper Regina Mogolola stepped up to take the kick, however, Yolula Tsawe had her area covered and miraculously saved the shot after it took a deflection off the JVW wall.

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After a long and intense 90 minutes, JVW walked away with a win and secured all three points at home in their first Sasol League encounter.

With a great performance all around, debutant Alochia Thobekela scooped the Player of the Match award, which was sponsored by Bexter SA and Bowen SA.

2018 signings Natalia Valentine and Ntsibande also made their debut for JVW in the starting XI.

The JVW first team played Soweto Fabulous this past weekend before gearing up for their next fixture against 2017 Sasol League runners-up, on April 20 at Bedfordview Country Club at 7pm and calls on the public to come and support them.