Young talented footballers who made their maiden appearances in the Women’s FNB Varsity Football tournament this year will carry the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) senior women’s football team well in years to come. This was the Club Manager, Nolufefe Sila’s sentiments following the team’s exit from the tournament on Monday night, 29 July 2024 in Tshwane.
UJ played to a 1-1 draw against hosts Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) women’s team, ultimately losing 4-2 in a penalty shootout. The Orange Army narrowly missed out on a spot in the final against defending champions University of the Western Cape (UWC) who lost 1-0 to UJ in the opening match of the tournament on Friday 26th.
Despite fielding a relatively young squad with several first-time Varsity Football participants, UJ impressed throughout the tournament. The team secured convincing victories in all three group stage matches. UJ registered two consecutive 4-0 wins against Cape Peninsula University of Technology (CPUT) and Central University of Technology (CUT) on Saturday and Sunday.
The semifinal clash against TUT was a closely contested affair. A spirited defensive effort from both sides resulted in a goalless first half. With five minutes before the half-time break, the Orange Army’s (UJ) centre back, Shannon Macomo, sustained a knee injury that forced UJ to make a substitution.
TUT’s Tshogofatso Motlogelwo finally broke the deadlock to put the hosts in the lead in the second half when the UJ defence could not contain a lower cross into the box from the left flank. However, UJ managed to equalise through Thato Mofolo’s strike at the goalkeeper at close range just a few minutes later. In the penalty shootout, TUT’s shot-stopper made two saves from UJ’s 3rd and 4th penalties. UJ’s goalkeeper Matshidiso Masebe saved TUT’s second penalty.
UJ’s Johannesburg-based crowd, ferried by buses to TUT, kept their team’s spirit high as they broke in song throughout the match, having supported the team since Saturday.
“The outcome of the semifinal was not a true reflection of what transpired on the pitch. Our team dominated the game. Our girls’ performance throughout the tournament has laid a strong foundation for future success. With a promising young squad, UJ’s women’s football programme is poised for continued growth and development in the years to come,” says Sila.
UJ’s standout performances throughout the tournament were recognised with four players (Gugulethu Dhlamini, Ayesha Moosa, Shannon Macomo, and Sthembile Sandleni) claiming Player of the Match awards (R1,500) in all four matches. These awards not only celebrated individual brilliance but also contributed to a charitable cause, as the players donated an extra R1,000 each from their winnings to the Othandweni Family Care Centre in Mofolo, Soweto.
UJ Goal Scorer: Thato Mofolo
FNB Player of the Match: Sthembile Sandleni (UJ).
UJ’s Starting XI: Lerato Lefa, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Gugu Dhlamini, Refilwe Maseko, Ayesha Moosa, Shannon Macomo (C), Sthembile Sandleni, Mihle Lumko, Thato Mofolo, Patience Sekhukhuni, Matshidiso Masebe.
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