UWC and UJ to battle it out in Women's Varsity Cup Football final

Thinasonke Mbuli’s high-flying UWC are now one step away from retaining their title after edging Wits 1-0 in the Varsity Women’s Football 2025 semi-finals on Monday. The Cape-based side will face UJ in the final after the Johannesburg outfit overcame their provincial rivals TUT with a 3-0 victory to set up an exciting North-South derby. UP-Tuks redeemed themselves following a rough start to the campaign by finishing on a high with a 2-1 win over NWU to finish fifth while CPUT finally gave their fans something to cheer about with a dominant 4-0 triumph over UNIVEN who continued to struggle in their debut campaign.

UWC Women's Football is one step closer to defending their title after a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Wits Women's Football in the Varsity Women’s Football tournament semifinal on Monday night. Unmarked substitute Thembelihle Zulu’s header near the far post sent UWC into the final from a cross on the right flank, beating them outstanding Wits goalkeeper Nthabiseng Ramaisa in the 66th minute.

Wits goalkeeper, Nthabiseng Ramaisa, who had been stellar throughout the match. Wits' defense played a disciplined game, successfully containing UWC's relentless attack, which saw numerous shots on goal from the opening whistle. UWC's offensive pressure came from all sides, led by captain Tiffany Kortjie, Faith Maswanganyi, Chelsea Daniels and Bandile Mthethwa. However, Ramaisa's impressive performance kept the score level for most of the game and the Wits backline did an excellent job of neutralizing the threat posed by Daniels.

On the other side of the field, UWC goalkeeper Thandeka Ngcobo had a quiet evening as her team dominated possession and controlled the flow of play. Ultimately, Zulu's late heroics were all it took to break the deadlock and secure UWC's place in the final, ending Wits' hopes of advancing.

UJ Women’s Football salivated over their 3-0 win over TUT Women’s Football in an entertaining semi-final match at the UJ Stadium on Monday night. UJ eliminated TUT out of the title race with a dominated display throughout the game. The win, a masterclass in controlled aggression, propelled UJ into the final against UWC.

From the first whistle, UJ set the tone, applying constant pressure on the TUT defense. Their efforts paid off in the 18th minute when Thato Mofolo slotted home the opening goal after a precise assist from Sbongakonke Mzobe. Despite numerous opportunities created by UJ, led by the vocal direction of coach Nthabeleng Modiko, the single goal was all that separated the two sides at half-time.

The second half started with a bang for UJ. Just six minutes in, Sthembile Msomi doubled the lead with a stunning strike, finding the top left corner of the net past TUT goalkeeper Rebaona Tshoma. TUT had a glimmer of hope in the 64th minute when Mokgaetji Ramanna hit the upright but it was the closest they would come to scoring.

UJ continued their relentless attack, and with just three minutes left in the match, Shannon Macomo sealed the victory. She capitalized on a perfect corner-kick, heading the ball into an open net for the third and final goal. UJ's goalkeeper, Manana Myeki, secured a clean sheet, leaving TUT without a consolation goal.

This win serves as sweet revenge for UJ, who were eliminated by TUT in a penalty shoot-out in the 2024 season. UJ will now face UWC Women's Football in the final on 19 September at UJ Soweto Stadium.

UP-Tuks Women’s Football edged past NWU Women’s Football with a 2-1 victory in a thrilling play-off clash. Tuks got off to the perfect start when Wendy Shongwe, left unmarked, slotted home a superb goal in the seventh minute.

At the 30-minute mark, Tuks held onto their 1-0 lead, with both sides creating half-chances but failing to convert in the final third. By half-time, the scoreline remained unchanged. Despite an evenly matched first half where both teams displayed equal dominance, Tuks early strike proved decisive, giving them the upper hand heading into the second half.

In the second half, NWU found their breakthrough when Naledi Mooketsi leveled the score at 1-1. However, Tuks quickly restored their advantage as Mmakhgotso Rose Mashishi rose to the occasion in the 64th minute, converting a well-delivered corner into a decisive goal that put Tuks back in front at 2-1.

Earlier in the match, NWU’s Naledi Mooketsi showed a yellow card for a foul on Tuks goalkeeper Kay-Dee Windvogel. Despite the setback, NWU pressed for an equaliser, earning successive corner kicks and creating a clear opportunity inside the box. In the closing stages, goalkeeper Grace Mabo pulled off a superb save to deny Mamie Rebombo and keep her side in contention.

It was a tough debut campaign for newcomers UNIVEN Women’s Football in the Varsity Women’s Football tournament, as they finished winless in all four matches and conceded a staggering 27 goals. Their struggles continued in the final play-off clash against CPUT, where they were handed a 4-0 defeat.

CPUT dominated the match from the start, with Zilungile Mathiya scoring the opening goal in the second minute after UNIVEN goalkeeper Nyeleti Mathebula failed to control a corner-kick. Mathiya doubled the lead two minutes later, making it 2-0.

Just before the half-time UNIVEN attempted to mount a comeback, pressing high up the pitch in an effort to equalise. However, CPUT's strong defensive performance held firm and they maintained their 2-0 lead at half-time, having controlled the first half with their dominant performance.

The second half saw UNIVEN fight back, launching counter-attacks against CPUT. However, it was CPUT who scored the next goal, with Sinelisiwe Phumlomo netting in the 40th minute. Phumlomo scored after Mathebula parried a shot and Mesuli Bhungalipheli's follow-up shot rebounded back to Phumlomo, who slotted it into the net, making it 3-0.

Despite UNIVEN's efforts, including a missed opportunity by Thubelihle Mbokazi and a close attempt by Andani Dabana, CPUT continued to threaten their opponents' goal. CPUT had another chance slipped away when Phumlomo's header from Mathiya's corner kick hit the woodwork. In the 72nd minute, Aseko Nqodi who came in as a substitute sealed the win for CPUT with a header from a corner-kick.