First round of Varsity Women’s Football delivers goals galore

With all the Varsity Women’s Football 2025 matches held at UJ Soweto Stadium, defending champions UWC started their campaign on a high note with a hard-fought 2-1 victory over TUT.

UP-Tuks were ruthless against newcomers UNIVEN, running out 5-1 winners in an emphatic display. UJ dominated their clash with NWU, securing a comprehensive 4-0 win, while Wits narrowly edged past CPUT with a 1-0 victory in a tightly contested match.

UWC 2-1 TUT

Defending champions UWC Women’s Football clinched a thrilling 2-1 victory over TUT Women’s Football in a captivating opening Round 1 match. The game, a true tale of two halves, saw both teams display resilience and tactical prowess.

UWC started strong, controlling possession and setting the tempo. Their efforts were rewarded in the 22nd minute when Zikhona Nogqala broke the deadlock, giving UWC the lead. However, TUT's response was swift and decisive. Just two minutes later, Thabiso Senyatsi found the back of the net, levelling the score and sending both teams into halftime with a 1-1 stalemate.

The second half belonged to TUT as the Red Army came out with renewed energy, dominating possession and pinning UWC back in their own half for long stretches. Despite their relentless attacks and several attempts on goal, TUT could not find a way past the organised and resolute UWC defence. The UWC side absorbed immense pressure, with their backline holding firm against the onslaught.

UWC's patience and defensive solidity paid off in the end. After enduring TUT's pressure, UWC striker Chelsea Daniels delivered the decisive blow with a stunning long-range shot from the D-line, finding the back of the net and sealing a 2-1 victory for the Western Cape side. The win demonstrated UWC's ability to stick to their game plan and seize the moment, even when under pressure.

SCORERS:

UWC: Zokhona Nogqala, Chelsea Daniels.

TUT: Thabiso Senyatsi

Player of the Match: Nwabisa Qoba (UWC)

TEAMS:

UWC: Siphesihle Dlamini, Fikile Magama, Zikhona Nogqala, Unathi Simayile, Mmabatho Mogale, Vinosiwe Maswanganyi, Kearah Gentry, Nwabisa Qoba, Chelsea Daniels, Tiffany Kortjie, Thembelihle Zulu

TUT: Retshepaone Ntwayagae, Paballo Chela, Lindiwe Nkambule, Nonzuzo Buthelezi, Mahlodi Mokoena, Nkateko Nkhuna, Palesa Ntsholo, Amahle Sosibo, Thabiso Senyatsi, Naledi Thakanyane, Mokgaetji Ramanna.

CPUT 0-1 Wits

In a physical and high-intensity battle between Wits Women’s Football and CPUT Women’s Football, Wits managed to edge out their opponents with a narrow 1-0 win in the opening round of the Varsity Women’s Football 2025 campaign, played under challenging windy conditions at the UJ Soweto Campus Stadium.

Both sides started the match on the front foot, showing clear intentions of securing an early advantage, but it was Wits forward Ayanda Mnyembane who made the breakthrough, with her early goal ultimately proving to be the decisive factor in the tightly contested encounter.

The match was intense and physical, with both teams creating opportunities, but Wits' defence held strong to secure the win. Wits dominated the early stages, piling pressure on CPUT's defence. In the third minute, Mnyembane broke through the CPUT defence after a well-weighted pass and scored the opening goal for Wits.

As the game progressed, CPUT began to push back against Wits despite the challenging conditions. In the 20th minute, Bridgette Moekwa, Wits' goalkeeper, made an impressive save on Sinelisiwe Phumlomo's strike. The windy conditions seemed to favour Wits, as it blew towards the CPUT goal, resulting in more set pieces for Wits. However, they struggled to convert the opportunities into additional goals.

In the second half, both teams still battled it out, with the midfielders playing a crucial role. In the 60th minute, both teams got half-chances but were unable to convert them into goals. In the 70th minute, CPUT’s Liyema Tom received a yellow card for a reckless challenge on Mnyembane, and despite creating several opportunities to level the score, the Cape side were unable to capitalise on their chances.

SCORERS

Wits: Ayanda Mnyembane

Player of the Match: Ayanda Mnyembane (Wits)

TEAMS:

CPUT: Nonhle Ngema, Sthembiso Williams, Single Hlela, Liyema Tom, Humane Moeti, Zilungile Mathiya, Mosetsanagape Leepile, Mesuli Bhungalipheli, Sinelisiwe Phumlomo, Banele Ndlela, Sinothando Lirula.

Wits: Bridgette Moekwa, Thalente Ntamane, Thalente Ntshiza, Bacebile Ngema, Amogelang Rachelapa, Lusanda Nyathi, Nthabiseng Ramaisa, Ayanda Mnyembane, Primrose Kopeka, Lenees Wattie, Aliyaa Allie.

UP-Tuks 5-1 UNIVEN

The clash between UP-Tuks Women’s Football and UNIVEN Women’s Football kicked off with high intensity and end-to-end action. It was the newcomers, UNIVEN, who made the early breakthrough, stunning their opponents in the 14th minute when Andani Dabana calmly slotted home to open the scoring.

However, Tuks quickly responded with Nonhlakanipho Lucy Finland equalising in the 31st minute. Just four minutes later, in the 35th minute, Sbahle Ndlovu scored a second goal for Tuks, giving them a 2-1 lead at halftime.

The second half saw Tuks pick up right where they left off, controlling possession and pushing forward with intent. They thought they had extended their lead in the 39th minute, but the goal was ruled out for offside. Just minutes later, in the 52nd minute, Ndlovu showcased her class once again, completing her brace with a spectacular finish to put Tuks 3-1 ahead.

UNIVEN’s defensive woes deepened as they struggled to contain the relentless pressure, and soon after, Moeletsi Digoro found herself unmarked inside the box. With composure and precision, she unleashed a powerful strike past the goalkeeper, stretching Tuks’ advantage to 4-1.

In the final moments of the match, Tuks sealed their victory with a fifth goal through Rethabile Makhwela, who came off the bench, rose highest to meet a corner kick taken by Mmakhgotso Rose Mashishi and struck the ball into the net, making it 5-1.

SCORERS

UP-Tuks: Nonhlakanipho Lucy Filand, Rethabile Makhwela, Sbahle Ndlovu X2, Moeletsi Digoro.

UNIVEN: Andani Dabana

Player of the Match: Sbahle Ndlovu (UP-Tuks)

UP-Tuks: Kay-Dee Windvogel, Zikhona Mgotya, Mmakhgotso Rose Mashishi Tebogo Motale,S’Bahle Ndlovu, Liyema Dyeli, Neliswa Kubeka, Tshwarelo Setlhafuno, Maria Manganas, Nonhlakanipho Lucy Filand, Moeletsi Digoro.

UNIVEN: Matete Mante Makena, Gracious Kanganiso, Sara Ramphabana, Mulalo Mudau, Advice Mohlala, Khumbula Radu, Boitumelo Mahlake, Nokuthula Mnyakeni, Lebogang Marakalla, Mpho Pandelani, Andani Dabana.

UJ 4-0 NWU

UJ Women's Football team kicked off their season in style, registering a decisive 4-0 home victory against NWU Women’s Football.

It was a one-sided affair from the start, with UJ dominating possession and keeping NWU's defence under constant pressure. The Orange Army wasted no time getting on the scoreboard, as Sbongakonke Mzobe found the back of the net just seven minutes into the game with a perfectly placed shot in the top right corner.

The star of the show, however, was Thato Mofolo. She was in sensational form, scoring a brilliant hat-trick before being substituted in the second half by coach Nthabeleng Modiko to rest her for upcoming matches.

NWU's goalkeeper, Mmabatho Tladi, was kept busy throughout the match, facing a barrage of shots from the UJ attack. Despite her best efforts, she couldn't stop the four goals that sealed a convincing victory for the hosts. With a 2-0 lead at halftime and another two goals in the second half, UJ cruised to a well-deserved win.

Coach Modiko's strategic substitutions in the second half, resting key players, suggest that the team is ready for the challenges ahead.

SCORERS:

UJ: Thato Mofolo X3, Sbongakonke Mzobe.

Player of the Match: Thato Mofolo (UJ)

TEAMS:

UJ: Manana Myeki, Shannon Macomo, Portia Masilela, Kabelo Mokoena, Nokuthula Sekhukhuni, Sthembile Sandleni, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Nhlakanipho Moyo, Gugulethu Dhlamini, Thato Mofolo, Kamogelo Maponya.

NWU: Mmabatho Tladi, Thandi Dondolo, Londeka Mabeba, Vuyokazi Thambe, Ponalo Molale, Mbalentle Dlikilili, Neo Montshosi, Thato Mokalake, Naledi Mooketsi, Veronicca Maswanganyi, Bokamoso Skosana.