UWC crowned back-to-back Varsity Football Women’s Champions after beating TUT

The 2024 Varsity Women’s Football final took center stage on Friday Women’s Day 9 August as six-time TUT Women’s Football took on the defending champions UWC Women’s Football at TUT Stadium on Friday.  UWC successfully defended their title after a 2-1 victory over the home side.  

With the two teams playing a sensational, relentless attacking football, the final could not be pre scripted. UWC drew the first blood through the high flying goal scorer Ronnel Donnelly to make it 1-0 after 9 minutes, after TUT goalkeeper Glenny Mafikeng failed to save the ball from the cross as it fell on Donnelly who didn’t make any mistake. 

The Red Army responded immediately as another goalkeeper blunder, this time UWC’s Thandeka Ngcobo failed to save Sibongile Ntoane’s shot and it was captain Tshegofatso Motlogelwa who finished the ball to the back of the net to make it 1-1 19 minutes.  

TUT were under immense pressure and could not hold on as UWC doubled the lead on the 44th minute through captain Tiffany Kortjie’s hot shot, again TUT keeper failed to save the ball as it went through her hands.UWC took a slender 2-1 lead at the interval. 

TUT returned from the break with substitution in the goalkeeping department, as Mafikeng made way for Retshepeone Ntwayagae. Things remained intense with both teams producing threatening plays. 

Motlogelwa remained a threat for UWC on the wing but her crosses couldn’t penetrate UWC defence. On the other end it was Kortjie terrorising the TUT defence on the left wing with dangerous runs and crosses.  

UWC claimed their second successive title with a 2-1 victory.  

Scorers:  

TUT: Tshogofatso Motlogelwa 

UWC: Ronnel Donnelly, Tiffany Kortjie (UWC) 

FNB Player of the Match: Tiffany Kortjie (UWC) 

TUT: Glanny Mafikeng, Dineo Sharol Ramaoka, Sibongile Ntoane, Mamikgase Senyatsi, Gift Makanya, Mokgaetji Ramanna, Tshogofatso Motlogelwa (C), Ogone Motshabi, Lindiwe Nkambule, Paballo Chela, Nelly Nhlapho. 

UWC: Thandeka Ngcobo, Ember Edwards, Bongeka Gamede, Unathi Simayile, Fikile Magama, Vonisiwe Faith Maswanganyi, Kearah Gentry, Akholiwe Matsotsi, Chelsea Daniels, Tiffany Kortjie (C), Ronnel Donnelly.  

By: Lehlogonolo Ditshego