Like a hot knife through butter, the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Women’s Football Team sliced through the opening two games of the 2026 Varsity Football tournament in sensational style. Playing at the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) Stadium, the Orange Army showcased a masterclass in tactical discipline and attacking flair to collect back-to-back victories over their Tshwane rivals.
In Round 1 on Saturday, 1 August, UJ kicked off their campaign with a tough but entertaining clash against a formidable Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Ladies side. TUT exerted relentless pressure throughout the first half, pinning UJ deep in their own territory. However, a resolute Johannesburg defence held firm, ensuring the sides went into the break locked at 0-0.
The tide turned in the second half. UJ’s sharp, intermittent transitions began exposing gaps in the TUT backline. The breakthrough arrived when TUT’s goalkeeper brought down a UJ attacker inside the box. Sbongakonke Mzobe stepped up to the spot, coolly sending the keeper the wrong way to seal a hard-fought 1-0 victory.
UJ’s midfield maestro Lindelwa Mabuza delivered an impressive pitch performance in her tournament debut to earn a FNB Player of the Match award against TUT.
“I’m happy with my performance in the opening game – I actually can’t believe I won the Player of the Match award,” said Mabuza. “I thank God and my teammates for such a great team performance. I wanted to score and that didn’t happen, but I’m just glad I made a positive contribution to help the team take the three points,” said Mabuza after the match.
Carrying that momentum into Sunday, 2 August, the UJ Ladies wasted no time dismantling the hosts, UP-Tuks Ladies. A beautifully placed goal through Kusaselihle Shibase opened the scoring for the UJ Ladies, followed shortly by a tap-in from Ayanda Mnyembane – both of whom capped off a brilliant Varsity Football debut with a goal each and an assist by Mnyembane for Shibase’s brace.
UJ sealed all maximum points in the 57th minute when Mnyembane set up Shibase for her second goal of the afternoon, putting the match comfortably out of reach for the Stripe Generation (UP-Tuks Ladies).
Striker Kusaselihle Shibase took home the second UJ Player of the Match award of the weekend following her sensational two-goal performance on her debut.
With two wins, two clean sheets, and six points in the bag, UJ now shifts their focus to Bumper Weekend Two at Wits University:
- Round 3: vs. Iyunibesithi Walter Sisulu Ladies | Saturday, 8 August – 15:00
- Round 4: vs. University of Limpopo Ladies | Sunday, 9 August (Women’s Day) – 17:30
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