Uncategorized
By Akani Nkuna
The University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) are set to battle it out in the final of the Varsity Women’s Football this month.
The current holders of the title, UWC, defeated Wits on Monday by a one-goal margin and have their eyes set on clinching the title when they face UJ.
Following an intense and tight game on Monday, it was substitute Thembelihle Zulu’s 66th minute header that sent UWC into the final. While the UWC goalkeeper had a relatively quiet day between the poles, she was stellar when called upon, serving brilliant saves to keep Wits at bay.
UJ eliminated TUT during a semi-final match played on Monday at UJ stadium with a dominant performance, scoring unanswered goals from Thato Mafolo and Sthembile Msomi, with player of the match Shannon Macomo rounding off the scoring.
The win serves as sweet revenge after TUT eliminated UJ in the same stage last year in penalty shoot-outs; however, this year’s display by UJ was nothing short of dominant, characterised by relentless attack and controlled aggression.
Meanwhile, newcomers UNIVEN Women’s Club received a rude awakening, exiting the campaign without a win — marking a tough debut season. Their last straw was a 4-0 defeat at the hands of CPUT where Zilungile Mathiya opened the scoring in the second minute. UNIVEN trailed by three goals before halftime.
In another exciting playoff match, UP-Tuks edged off NWU by two goals to one. Despite going into the halftime break with a one-goal lead, NWU equalised shortly when play resumed. Tuks restored their advantage when Rose Mashishi netted in the 64th minute, a strike which proved to be the winning goal.
In what is expected to be a blockbuster final, UWC and UJ will face off at UJ Soweto Stadium on Friday, 19 September. UJ will be expecting to ride on the home-ground advantage wave.
INSIDE EDUCATION