Sophakama Ladies fail to qualify for SAFA National Hollywoodbets Super League 2025 season
SAFA Eastern Cape Sasol Ladies’ League champions and Mandela Bay pride, Sophakama Ladies’ FC, failed to book themselves a berth in the SAFA National Hollywoodbets Super League 2025 during the Sasol Ladies League National Championships at Loerie Park in Knysna from October 15 to 20.
The nine provincial league winners who played in the promotional play-offs were divided into three groups. The Group A teams were FC Raycon Ladies’ FC (Gauteng Province), Ramatlaotle Ladies’ FC (Limpopo champions), and Super Strikers Ladies’ FC (Mpumalanga champions). Group B comprised UFS Kovsies Ladies’ FC (Free State champions), Royal Wizards (Northern Cape champions), and North West University (North West champions). The teams in Group C were Sophakama Ladies’ FC, Ezemvelo Women’s FC (KwaZulu Natal champions), and the University of Cape Town (Western Cape champions).
Sophakama Ladies struggled in their first game against Ezemvelo WFC, who defeated them 2-0. The hosts, UCT, frustrated Sophakama Ladies with a 6-0 victory in their last crucial group stage game on Thursday.
On Friday during the semi-finals, UCT got the better of Kovsies with a 4-0 victory and Ezemvelo WFC earned a hard-fought 1-0 triumph over Ramatlaotle Ladies.
Ezemvelo WFC lifted the league’s prestigious trophy after they overcame the hosts, UCT, 2-0 on Sunday. Nomhlazeko Gwala and Banele Madondo managed to beat UCT goalkeeper Kaydee Windvogel in the first half. Ezemvelo WFC went home with a floating trophy, gold medals, and R200 000, while UCT settled for silver medals and R100 000.
The individual awards were as follows:
. Referee of the tournament: Hloniphile Msezane
. Assistant referee of the tournament: Nolitha Mhlomi
. Top goal scorer of the tournament: Matshwantsho Dlamini (UFS)
. Player of the tournament: Zamandosi Nene (Ezemvelo WFC)
. Most promising player of the tournament: Mavis Maiacane (Super Strikers LFC)
Score EPRU Grand Challenge finals attract crowds
HUNDREDS of rugby spectators were excited when the Score EPRU Grand Challenge finals took place at Adcock Stadium in Korsten on Saturday.
The first team reserves finals stole the spotlight as the Adcock Stadium B Field. African Bombers defeated Kareedouw Tigers 39-14 during their First Team Reserves Division 1C finals.
United Barbarians supporters saw their side overcome Jeffreys Bay RFC 27-20 during the First Reserves Division 1B finals. NMU Madibaz emerged victorious after they secured a narrow 22-20 win against Gardens during their Score Grand Challenge Cup Top 12 Reserves final.
African Bombers RFC defeated Orlando Eagles RFC 27-19 during their First Team 1C finals at Adcock Stadium’s main field. Credit should go to the Bombers’ coach, Zola Coto, his technical committee, and the management for their club’s success during the season.
Star of Hope RFC had to sweat for their 37-28 win when they took on Jeffreys Bay during their Score Grand Challenge Middle 12 First Team finals. The Humansdorp outfit Kruisfontein United defeated Gardens RFC 24-18 during their Grand Challenge Top 12 finals.
NMB Industrial Football Association to host league games
ALL roads will lead to various venues as the Nelson Mandela Bay Industrial Football Association (NMB IFA) hosts their league games on Sunday.
At Despatch Rugby Stadium, three games will entertain the spectators. At 09:00, Benteler FC will test their strength against league title contenders Willard Auto X. Aspen FC will prove that the race for honours is not yet over for them when they take on Forvia at 10:30. Coega Dairy, whose performance has not been satisfactory this season, faces the tough Heineken Distell at 12:00.
Four games will surely draw spectators to Shatterprufe Grounds in Struandale. Durr Africa, who would like to see themselves among the top eight teams, play against Eberspacher at 09:00. Adient PPC, who are unpredictable, face Forvia Port Elizabeth at 10:30. Borbet locks horns with Dairy Group at 12:00. Kanu would like to secure three league points from Durr Africa in their game that kicks off at 13:30.
At Dana Fields, three games are expected to keep the spectators on their feet. The undefeated log leaders Tenneco battle it out with Hi-Tech Auto at 09:00. Fomoco Ford aim for maximum league points when they take on CRH Africa at 10:30. The hosts, Dana Spicer, would like to eliminate Sasko from the top eight teams at 12:00 noon.
