UWC Women’s Football have made history, clinching their third consecutive Varsity Football championship with a narrow 1-0 victory over UJ Women’s Football on Monday night (19 September).
Played at the packed UJ Soweto Stadium, the final proved a tense affair.
Both teams struggled to create clear scoring opportunities in a goalless first half, although UWC maintained persistent attacking pressure. The UJ defence, marshalled by Shannon Macomo and Portia Masilela, put up a resolute fight, successfully containing UWC’s attacking threats including Chelsea Daniels and captain Tiffany Kortjie.
Early in the second half, UWC’s Kortjie delivered the decisive blow. In the 46th minute, she scored the only goal of the match, completing a hat-trick of titles for the Western Cape side.
Despite falling behind, UJ fought valiantly to get back into the game.
Captain Sthembile Sandleni, Kabelo Mokoena, and substitute Gugulethu Dhlamini led the charge, but to no avail.
UJ’s best opportunity came in the dying moments when Kamogelo Maponya found herself one-on-one with the UWC goalkeeper, but her shot went wide.
After the victory, UWC coach Thinasonke Mbuli praised her team and the strategic preparation that led to the triumph.
She highlighted the role of the team’s video analyst, stating: “The credit for this victory must go to our video analyst. He knew the threat from the opposition… We knew that UJ striker Thato Mofolo would be lethal with her usual turns because she’s good at that.”
- Player of the Match: Fikile Magama (UWC)
- Player of the Tournament: Thabiso Senyatsi (TUT Women’s Football)
- Cashbuild Golden Glove: Manana Myeki (UJ Women’s Football)
- Suzuki Golden Boot: Thato Mofolo (UJ Women’s Football)
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