In claiming a podium place, if you like, UWC Ladies have improved markedly on the inaugural season of the SAFA National Women’s League (SNWL), when they finished eighth.
Thinasonke Mbuli’s squad have had to work overtime in the run-in to the season, by playing seven matches in November before the season-ender on 5 December.
That busy run of fixtures began against First Touch Ladies on 3 November, which UWC hosted away from campus at Parow Park. It proved to be a frustrating afternoon, as the team had to fight from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw, Noxolo Cesane being the goalscorer.
Three days later mid-table Ma-Indies Ladies turned up at the same venue and this time the coaches could be happy with the output from the team as goals from Molatelo Kobo, Sduduzo Dlamini and Leandra Smeda secured a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Next up was another midweek clash, this time in eMalahleni against Coal City Wizards. Despite their lowly position on the log, and Sibulele Holweni scoring in the first half, UWC were made to fight to see that 1-0 scoreline through – which they did.
UWC found the going far easier during their televised clash against Golden Ladies on 14 November. Sibulele Holweni scored a double (pictured) with Abongile Dlani adding the third in the 3-0 win in Mahikeng – which also marked a debut cleansheet in goal for Lindokuhle Duntsu.
The Ladies were back on the road three days later, this time to Soweto to face varsity rivals UJ. Molatelo Kobo handed UWC the lead straight after half-time but the ‘Orange Army’ equalised with 10 minutes to go and held on to the 1-1 scoreline to earn their first point against UWC in the SNWL era.
The visit of Durban Ladies on 21 November ended the run of weekend-midweek-weekend fixtures but not with the desired result – not least because of the visitors lowly position - as the match ended 0-0.
In the meantime, Mamelodi Sundowns (featuring ex-player Thalea Smidt) had retained the League title – making it a treble season thanks to their Cosafa and Champions League titles – and they were rightfully clapped onto Parow Park by UWC on 28 November. Try as they might, Mbuli’s charges couldn’t secure a famous victory, with a Capetonian in Lelona Daweti scoring the only goal to hand the points to ‘Banyana Ba Style’.
This left only the season-ender, a visit to Bloemfontein Celtic’s HQ, Siwelele Park, to play (pictured). In stormy weather, Noxolo Cesane opened the scoring only for the hosts to equalise a few minutes later. As it happened, Cesane then returned the favour and UDubs were able to hold onto the 2-1 lead to maintain their third place on the final log standings.
Meanwhile, the team held their end-of-season season awards on 3 December with Sibulele Holweni, unsurprisingly, being the big winner. Youngsters Tiffany Kortjie and Fikile Magama also claimed awards in their first season with the club while 'veteran' Antonia Maponya earned praise from coach Mbuli.
[+] UJ were awarded a 2-0 victory over Bloemfontein Celtic and First Touch Academy were awarded a 2-0 victory over Mamelodi Sundowns
Images courtesy Skhu Nkomphela/UWC Sport.
Thinasonke Mbuli’s squad have had to work overtime in the run-in to the season, by playing seven matches in November before the season-ender on 5 December.
That busy run of fixtures began against First Touch Ladies on 3 November, which UWC hosted away from campus at Parow Park. It proved to be a frustrating afternoon, as the team had to fight from a goal down to secure a 1-1 draw, Noxolo Cesane being the goalscorer.
Three days later mid-table Ma-Indies Ladies turned up at the same venue and this time the coaches could be happy with the output from the team as goals from Molatelo Kobo, Sduduzo Dlamini and Leandra Smeda secured a comfortable 3-0 victory.
Next up was another midweek clash, this time in eMalahleni against Coal City Wizards. Despite their lowly position on the log, and Sibulele Holweni scoring in the first half, UWC were made to fight to see that 1-0 scoreline through – which they did.
UWC found the going far easier during their televised clash against Golden Ladies on 14 November. Sibulele Holweni scored a double (pictured) with Abongile Dlani adding the third in the 3-0 win in Mahikeng – which also marked a debut cleansheet in goal for Lindokuhle Duntsu.
The Ladies were back on the road three days later, this time to Soweto to face varsity rivals UJ. Molatelo Kobo handed UWC the lead straight after half-time but the ‘Orange Army’ equalised with 10 minutes to go and held on to the 1-1 scoreline to earn their first point against UWC in the SNWL era.
The visit of Durban Ladies on 21 November ended the run of weekend-midweek-weekend fixtures but not with the desired result – not least because of the visitors lowly position - as the match ended 0-0.
In the meantime, Mamelodi Sundowns (featuring ex-player Thalea Smidt) had retained the League title – making it a treble season thanks to their Cosafa and Champions League titles – and they were rightfully clapped onto Parow Park by UWC on 28 November. Try as they might, Mbuli’s charges couldn’t secure a famous victory, with a Capetonian in Lelona Daweti scoring the only goal to hand the points to ‘Banyana Ba Style’.
This left only the season-ender, a visit to Bloemfontein Celtic’s HQ, Siwelele Park, to play (pictured). In stormy weather, Noxolo Cesane opened the scoring only for the hosts to equalise a few minutes later. As it happened, Cesane then returned the favour and UDubs were able to hold onto the 2-1 lead to maintain their third place on the final log standings.
Meanwhile, the team held their end-of-season season awards on 3 December with Sibulele Holweni, unsurprisingly, being the big winner. Youngsters Tiffany Kortjie and Fikile Magama also claimed awards in their first season with the club while 'veteran' Antonia Maponya earned praise from coach Mbuli.
NOVEMBER-DECEMBER 2021 RESULTS AT A GLANCE
| Date | Opponents | Result | Venue | Scorers |
| 3 November | First Touch | 1-1 | Home | Noxolo Cesane pen |
| 6 November | Ma-Indies Ladies | 3-0 | Home | Molatelo Kobo, Sduduzo Dlamini, Leandra Smeda |
| 10 November | Coal City Wizards | 1-0 | Away | Sibulele Holweni |
| 14 November | Golden Ladies | 3-0 | Away | Sibulele Holweni 2, Abongile Dlani |
| 17 November | UJ | 1-1 | Away | Molatelo Kobo |
| 21 November | Durban Ladies | 0-0 | Home | - |
| 28 November | Mamelodi Sundowns | 0-1 | Home | - |
| 5 December | Bloemfontein Celtic | 2-1 | Away | Noxolo Cesane 2 |
HOLLYWOODBETS SUPER LEAGUE FINAL LOG STANDINGS
| Position | Team | P | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Points |
| 1 | Mamelodi Sundowns | 26 | 24 | 1 | 1 | 87 | 14 | +73 | 73 |
| 2 | TUT | 26 | 18 | 5 | 3 | 58 | 21 | +37 | 59 |
| 3 | UWC | 26 | 15 | 8 | 3 | 47 | 16 | +31 | 53 |
| 4 | JVW | 26 | 16 | 3 | 7 | 69 | 29 | +40 | 51 |
| 5 | First Touch Ladies | 26 | 10 | 10 | 6 | 42 | 35 | +7 | 40 |
| 6 | Bloemfontein Celtic | 26 | 12 | 3 | 11 | 37 | 39 | -2 | 39 |
| 7 | Thunderbirds Ladies | 26 | 10 | 5 | 11 | 29 | 40 | -11 | 35 |
| 8 | Ma-Indies Ladies | 26 | 8 | 7 | 11 | 38 | 49 | -11 | 31 |
| 9 | UJ | 26 | 7 | 8 | 11 | 26 | 39 | -13 | 29 |
| 10 | Durban Ladies | 26 | 6 | 8 | 12 | 36 | 44 | -8 | 26 |
| 11 | Richmond United Ladies | 26 | 7 | 5 | 14 | 44 | 60 | -16 | 26 |
| 12 | Coal City Wizards | 26 | 6 | 5 | 15 | 25 | 39 | -14 | 23 |
| 13 | Golden Ladies | 26 | 5 | 1 | 20 | 18 | 65 | -47 | 16 |
| 14 | Tsunami Queens | 26 | 2 | 3 | 21 | 21 | 87 | -66 | 9 |
Images courtesy Skhu Nkomphela/UWC Sport.
