UJ meet UWC again for Women’s Varsity Football final
Who will lift the 2023 Women’s Varsity Football trophy as the 2022 finalists UWC is set to lock heads with the defending champions UJ?
The 2023 Women’s Varsity Football competition will be decided by a match between UWC and defending champions UJ, following their victory in two highly contested semi-finals.
The Orange Army easily defeated Wits in the first semi-final, while UWC sneaked past UP-Tuks in the second semi-final to book their spot in the finals.
The road to finals: UWC 1 UP-TUKS 0
UWC has put in tremendous effort to defeat UP-Tuks 1-0 in the second semi-final to advance to face UJ.
The first half was a close match, with the stats favouring UWC, who looked dangerous with their quick wingers, while Tuks struggled to create clear-cut opportunities in the first 20 minutes.
Two minutes later, UWC striker Chelsea Daniels scored the opening and only goal in the first half. She got a ball on the edge of the Tuks box and brushed off a tackle to score the goal.
The Western Cape women maintained their calm to repel danger in the second half as Tuks attempted to come back but found it difficult to activate their goal scorers.
UWC maintained its advantage from the first half to secure a rematch with the 2022 final runner-up.
Bongeka Gamede of UWC was the player of the match.
UJ 3 WITS 0
The first semi-final was a duel between Johannesburg rivals UJ and Wits, with the Orange Army winning 3-0.
UJ appeared more threatening on the attack in the first 45 minutes. However, Wits did well in defence to remain compact.
Three minutes into the second half, Lusanda Mavundla of UJ scored the opening goal when Wits goalkeeper Bridgette Moekwa failed to read a cross. Wits failed to create opportunities as the midfield struggled to link with the attackers.
Mavundla scored her brace in the 71st minute, and Sbongakonke Mzobe came off the bench to score the Orange Army’s third goal before the final whistle.
The UJ player Lusanda Mavundla was the player of the match.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/C&C Photo Agency for Asem Engage
TUT 3 UFH 0
In a battle for fifth and sixth places, the hosts, TUT, outplayed a struggling UFH, winning 3-0.
After Naledi Thakanyane’s shot hit the post, Tshegofatso Motlogelwa tapped in a rebound.
Three minutes later, Thakanyane registered her first goal with a close-range strike, giving TUT a 2-0 lead going into the half.
UFH considered the third goal from the penalty spot after goalkeeper Dinwayo Amahle fouled Motlogelwa inside the box. Motlogelwa made no mistake and converted her second goal of the afternoon.
Asanda Msuthu of TUT claimed the player of the match title.
Photo: Christiaan Kotze/C&C Photo Agency for Asem Engage
DUT 5 UKZN 4 (PENALTIES)
DUT won in KwaZulu-Natal when they beat UKZN 5-4 on penalties to finish seventh.
Both teams started sluggish, with no side posing a threat to their counterparts, resulting in the goalless first half.
Five minutes into the last stanza, DUT seized the lead. Wandile Dladla successfully headed a corner kick to give her team the lead.
Their joy was short-lived, as UKZN regained control of the match three minutes later when Asanda Nxele tapped in a rebound after the goalkeeper was unable to clear her line.
When the DUT successfully converted their penalties, they emerged as the champions after UKZN’s, Gugu Mhlongo missed the lone penalty.
The player of the match title was awarded to DUT’s Wandile Dladla.
The final will play out at TUT Stadium on August 19 at 11:00.
