Back-to-back wins for UWC and UJ in Varsity Football Women Round 2

Round 2 of Varsity Women’s Football saw defending champions UWC storm past UNIVEN with a 10-0 thrashing. UJ continued their winning start to the season, claiming a 2-0 victory over Wits to make it two wins from two. NWU bounced back from their opening-round defeat with a 2-1 win over CPUT, while the Tshwane derby between TUT and UP-Tuks ended in a 1-1 draw. All round 2 matches were played at the UJ Soweto Stadium B-Field and the main UJ Soweto Stadium.

UWC Women’s Football started their Varsity Women’s Football title defense in spectacular fashion, defeating newcomers UNIVEN Women’s Football with a commanding 10-0 victory in Round 2 of the tournament.

UWC's offense exploded early, scoring four goals in the first 10 minutes. Captain Tiffany Kortjie began the onslaught just two minutes into the game, followed quickly by goals from Chelsea Daniels, Faith Maswanganyi, and Thembelihle Zulu.

The relentless pressure forced UNIVEN's head coach, Carlo Negovha, to make an early substitution just 12 minutes in, bringing on Ayanda Mabapa for Sara Ramphabana. However, UWC’s scoring continued. Univen's goalkeeper, Matete Makena, conceded seven goals before being replaced by Nyeleti Mathebula. Unfortunately for UNIVEN, Mathebula immediately conceded an eighth goal upon entering the game.

The goal fest was led by hat-tricks from Kortjie and Daniels. Akholiwe Matsotsi also contributed with a brace, while Maswanganyi and Zulu each scored one goal.

With this emphatic win, UWC secured three points and made a powerful statement in their quest to defend their championship title.

In a thrilling encounter, NWU Women’s Fotball bounced back from their heavy defeat to UJ on Friday, emerging victorious against a stubborn CPUT Women’s Football side. The match got off to a high intensity start, with both teams creating scoring opportunities. In the 10th minute, NWU had a promising chance with a free-kick taken by Veronicca Maswanganyi but it failed to find back of the net.

The deadlock was finally broken in the 23rd minute, thanks to a well-executed press from NWU. Nontobeko Gumede scored the opening goal for NWU after a CPUT defender's misplaced pass deflected off Neo Montshosi and Gumede was quick to capitalise on the opportunity, finishing it off with precision.

Just before the goal, a forced change was made in the 25th minute of the first half for CPUT, as goalkeeper Nonhle Ngema had to be substituted due to an injury, making way for Cassidy Primo.

Just before the half-time whistle, CPUT equalised in the 38th minute with a stunning long-range goal by Mosetsanagape Leepile, capitalising on a defensive lapse by NWU. The score was now 1-1, and the teams headed into the break on level terms.

In the second half, after several chances missed by NWU, they finally found the back of the net in the 54th minute. Tshiamo Gosiame Phiri scored a well-taken goal from a throw-in, giving NWU a 2-1 lead.

The win marked a successful turnaround for NWU after their heavy defeat yesterday, while CPUT will look to regroup and bounce back after back-to-back defeats in their next match.

In a thrilling Tshwane derby, TUT Women’s Football and UP-Tuks Women’s Football played out a 1-1 draw. The match got off to a fast-paced start, with TUT opening the scoring in the fifth minute through Mokgaetji Ramanna. However, Tuks quickly responded, two minutes later, Lindiwe Nkambule deflected a ball into her own net, leveling the score at 1-1.

The match remained evenly balanced, with both sides creating chances. By the 20th minute, TUT maintained their high press, putting constant pressure on Tuks’ defense, while Tuks chose to sit deep in a low block and wait for counter-attacking opportunities. In the 27th minute, one such counter was stopped when Nonzuzo Buthelezi fouled Moeletsi Digoro and from the resulting free-kick, Sivuyile Njobeni came agonisingly close as his strike rattled the woodwork.

As half-time approached, TUT's goalkeeper Retshepaone Ntwayagae suffered an injury in a contest for a ball with Moeletsi Digoro. The match was later suspended due to weather conditions and lightning, with the teams returning to the changing rooms until the weather improved.

In the second half eventually the match resumed, TUT made a forced change, bringing in goalkeeper Rebona Tshoma to replace the injured Retshepaone Ntwayagae. The match remained tightly contested, with both teams probing and trying to create opportunities in midfield. Despite intense midfield battles, neither team could carve out clear-cut chances. In the end, the match ended 1-1, with the teams sharing the points.

In a thrilling Varsity Women’s Football Johannesburg derby, the UJ Women's Football secured a hard-fought 2-0 victory over Wits Women’s Football on Saturday night. The win marked UJ's second impressive performance of the tournament, earning them bragging rights in the city.

UJ, known as the "Orange Army," dominated possession from the start, but Wits' defense held strong. Wits goalkeeper Bridgette Moekwa was in top form, making a series of crucial saves to frustrate UJ's relentless attack and keep the first half goalless.

However, UJ's persistence paid off after the break. Just 16 minutes into the second half, Gugulethu Dlamini broke the deadlock. Making a counter-attack from midfield, she fired a perfect strike into the top right corner of the net, giving UJ the lead and making up for an earlier penalty miss that hit the crossbar.

The lead was doubled in the 64th minute when on-form striker Thato Mofolo scored a second goal. Unfortunately, Wits' goalkeeper Moekwa was later forced to leave the pitch due to a head injury following a collision with UJ's Sbongakonke Mzobe.

The 2-0 win not only gives UJ three points but also boosts their confidence ahead of their next clash against the CPUT.