UWC women's football team fell short in the Varsity Women's Football final at UWC Sports Stadium, losing 2-1 to TUT - who claimed back-to-back titles in the process.
Player of the match Thembi Kgatlana displayed why she is regularly called up to play for Banyana Banyana, the country’s senior women's football team (she, along with former student Leandra Smeda are in the squad for the Olympic qualifiers next month).
With her team trailing 1-0 in the second half (following a fortuitous Nthabiseng Sikhakhane goal), Kgatlana intercepted the ball way outside the box and her skilful run left a couple of defenders standing to slot the ball between the legs of the TUT goalkeeper Thabile Malambe to level matters.
However, the UWC women lost concentration at the back and allowed the visitors to score another goal later through Phathutshedzo Makhodo. Despite putting up a brave fight they could not find the equaliser.
However, the defeat was quickly forgotten by the joyful home supporters, who included students, staff, alumni and members of the community, when their men’s team beat TUT in a later encounter at the 'Operation Room'.
MATCH DETAILS
UWC (0) 1 (Thembi Kgatlana)
TUT (1) 2 (Nthabiseng Sikhakhane, Phathutshedzo Makhodo)
UWC: 1 Nhlamulo Mathebula, 6 Nomvuzo Mgoduka, 5 Vuyo Mkhabela (captain), 12 Jade Koks, 24 Kayla Richards, 4 Nicole October, 3 Nelly Mamabolo, 7 Abongile Dlani, 16 Rachel Sebati, 9 Thembi Kgatlana, 8 Bongeka Jezile.
Substitutes: 13 Namhla Kantolo, 21 Lukhona Leni, 15 Nondumiso Nomatse, 23 Ameeda Naidoo, 10 Sonja Meyer, 20 Gracious Baloi, 2 Carryn Cloete. - coach: Nathan Peskin
FNB Player of the match: Thembi Kgatlana (UWC)
Samsung Superstriker: Phathutshedzo Makhodo (TUT)
Player of the match Thembi Kgatlana displayed why she is regularly called up to play for Banyana Banyana, the country’s senior women's football team (she, along with former student Leandra Smeda are in the squad for the Olympic qualifiers next month).
With her team trailing 1-0 in the second half (following a fortuitous Nthabiseng Sikhakhane goal), Kgatlana intercepted the ball way outside the box and her skilful run left a couple of defenders standing to slot the ball between the legs of the TUT goalkeeper Thabile Malambe to level matters.
However, the UWC women lost concentration at the back and allowed the visitors to score another goal later through Phathutshedzo Makhodo. Despite putting up a brave fight they could not find the equaliser.
However, the defeat was quickly forgotten by the joyful home supporters, who included students, staff, alumni and members of the community, when their men’s team beat TUT in a later encounter at the 'Operation Room'.
MATCH DETAILS
UWC (0) 1 (Thembi Kgatlana)
TUT (1) 2 (Nthabiseng Sikhakhane, Phathutshedzo Makhodo)
UWC: 1 Nhlamulo Mathebula, 6 Nomvuzo Mgoduka, 5 Vuyo Mkhabela (captain), 12 Jade Koks, 24 Kayla Richards, 4 Nicole October, 3 Nelly Mamabolo, 7 Abongile Dlani, 16 Rachel Sebati, 9 Thembi Kgatlana, 8 Bongeka Jezile.
Substitutes: 13 Namhla Kantolo, 21 Lukhona Leni, 15 Nondumiso Nomatse, 23 Ameeda Naidoo, 10 Sonja Meyer, 20 Gracious Baloi, 2 Carryn Cloete. - coach: Nathan Peskin
FNB Player of the match: Thembi Kgatlana (UWC)
Samsung Superstriker: Phathutshedzo Makhodo (TUT)
