We’ve got three mouth-watering midweek clashes in the Hollywoodbets Super League on Wednesday afternoon, which sees JVW FC and UWC Ladies headline the day’s football at 18:00, while Durban Ladies entertain UJ Ladies and top meets bottom when Tsunami Queens face defending-champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies at 15:00.
Wednesday 13 October
JVW FC 12/10
Draw 2/1
UWC Ladies 2/1
(18:00)
Two of the best coaches in the country Ciara Picco (JVW FC) and Thinasonke Mbuli (UWC Ladies) will lock horns in a high-quality football match that in my humble opinion should 100% be broadcasted live to Mzansi.
Our younger generation were watching the likes of Gabriela Salgado (JVW FC) and Sibulele Holweni (UWC Ladies) playing alongside each other in COSAFA Cup action during their school holidays and deserve to enjoy this encounter when they’re on opposite ends of the pitch, pitting their skills against each other as rivals of two teams that have the responsibility of attaining the level of excellence Sundowns are currently on.
This match was originally scheduled to take place at the Tsakane Stadium but later moved to Waterstone College. When these sides met in Cape Town, UWC Ladies claimed a 3-1 victory thanks to a brace from Fikile Magama in the second half that decided matters following Tiffany Kortjie and current leader in the race for the Golden Boot, Nompumelelo Nyandeni, finding the net in the first half on a rain-soaked ‘Operation Room’ pitch.
Banyana Banyana captain Janine Van Wyk has returned to Mzansi to assist her club and will surely come straight into this quality matchup and add her experience to possibly avenge their defeat in Cape Town and put some distance between themselves and direct rivals, UWC Ladies. It’s the part of the preview where I have to suggest a bet that could make us some cash, I’ll avoid sitting on the fence, take JVW FC to secure maximum points.
Durban Ladies 31/20
Draw 2/1
UJ Ladies 31/20
(15:00)
Durban Ladies will play host to UJ Ladies at the King Zwelithini Stadium, hoping to exact revenge from the 3-1 defeat to the ‘Orange Army’ earlier this season as Jessica Wade scored twice and captain Refilwe Maseko added her name to the scoresheet to make it 3-0 within the space of 36 minutes.
Both sides have a few catchup games to complete and will be aiming for maximum points twice this week, UJ Ladies return to Gauteng to tackle TUT Ladies, while Richmond United’s trip to Durban is set to be broadcast live on Sunday.
In September, UJ Ladies returned to winning ways with three victories in four games. Durban Ladies failed to win any of their last six games, most disappointingly sharing the spoils in a 1-1 draw at bottom-placed Tsunami Queens last time out. A draw is the best bet, however, if there’s going to be a winner, my money would be on a 1-0 victory to UJ Ladies and Jessica Wade to score.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies 1/50
Draw 10/1
Tsunami Queens 20/1
(15:00)
Mamelodi Sundowns were made to sweat for their 2-1 win over in-form Golden Ladies in their previous midweek match. Defender Khutso Pila said, “It felt like we were playing against the entire North West, but we managed to play as a team and we stayed calm. They came at us, very hard, but we managed to keep calm and play our football, yeah it was a difficult game.”
Tsunami Queens can only improve and there will be lessons to learned after playing against the current benchmark of women’s football. Melinda Kgadiete, Oratile Mokwena and Bambanani Mbane will return to Masandawana after displaying their skills at the COSAFA Cup for South Africa. If Tsunami Queens were able to get a result in Pretoria it would be amazing for their confidence, however, I expect Sundowns to flex their muscles.
MIDWEEK DOUBLE @ 56/10
Durban Ladies v UJ Ladies – Draw 2/1
JVW FC Win 12/10
Written by Bryan Naicker