The University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Senior Women’s Football Team settled for second place at the conclusion of the Women’s Varsity Football tournament on Friday evening, 19 September 2025. The final match, played in a packed UJ Soweto Stadium, saw visitors University of the Western Cape secure a treble championship after a 1-0 defeat over the Orange Army in a tense final.
The home crowd enjoyed the final clash, singing and dancing to the entertainment in the stadium to propel UJ to a better performance. The Orange Army may have finished as runners-up in the tournament, but they fought with passion and skill, leaving it all on the field in a hard-fought final. The Orange Army faced a formidable opponent in UWC, ultimately falling 1-0 in a tense and exciting match.
In the tournament, UJ scored 13 goals in four matches, opening with a 4-0 win over the North-West University, followed by 2-0 against Wits University and 4-0 against Cape Peninsula University of Technology. They won 3-0 against Gauteng rivals Tshwane University of Technology in the semifinal match before heading in to the final to take on UWC. The only goal UJ’s Manana Myeki conceded was the title decider in the final from Tiffany Kortjie ‘strike.
While UWC secured their third consecutive championship, UJ’s performance was nothing short of commendable. The match was a defensive masterclass, particularly in the first half. UJ’s backline, anchored by the exceptional performances of Shannon Macomo and Portia Masilela, successfully neutralized UWC’s persistent attacks, including those from key players like Chelsea Daniels and captain Tiffany Kortjie. The goalless first half was a testament to the UJ defense’s strength and discipline.
Despite the lone goal scored by UWC’s Kortjie early in the second half, the UJ team never gave up. Captain Sthembile Sandleni, Kabelo Mokoena, and substitute Gugulethu Dhlamini rallied their teammates, launching a determined offensive push to find an equalizer. The team’s tenacity was on full display until the final whistle, with their best chance coming from a one-on-one opportunity for Kamogelo Maponya in the dying moments of the game.
The UJ ladies’ journey to the final was a remarkable achievement, showcasing their talent, teamwork, and resilience.
Although they didn’t take home the gold this time, their silver medal is a symbol of their incredible season and a strong foundation for future successes. The Orange Army proved they are a team to be reckoned with, although playing with a relatively young team with few senior players.
SCORERS: Tiffany Kortjie
FNB Player of the Match: Fikile Magama, UWC.
FNB Player of the Tournament: Thabiso Senyatsi, TUT
Cashbuild Golden Glove: Manana Myeki, UJ
Suzuki Golden Boot: Thato Mofolo, UJ
TEAMS:
UJ: Manana Myeki, Shannon Macomo, Portia Masilela, Kabelo Mokoena, Nokuthula Sekhukhuni, Sbongakonke Mzobe, Sthembile Sandleni, Sthembile Msomi, Atlegang Mogale, Thato Mofolo, Kamogelo Maponya.
UWC: Siphesihle Dlamini, Mmabatho Mogale, Unathi Simayile, Fikile Magama, Zikhona Nogqala, Vonisiwe Maswanganyi, Nwabisa Qoba, Akholiwe Matsotsi, Thembelihle Zulu, Tiffany Kortjie, Chelsea Daniels.
