South Africa and Mozambique will meet in a first round Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifier, which means this weekend only serves up four clashes in the Hollywoodbets Super League. Durban Ladies meet the champions Sundowns in Pretoria on Saturday, while Thunderbirds vs UJ Ladies will be broadcasted live on Sunday.
Without further ado, let’s get stuck into our weekly preview!
Saturday 23 October
Tsunami Queens 12/1
Draw 11/2
TUT Ladies 1/8
(15:00)
Tsunami Queens entertain TUT Ladies in Harrismith, hoping to capitalize on the Tshwane side being without influential defender Tiisetso Makhubela, who’s notched up seven goals to her name.
Last Sunday, TUT Ladies claimed a 4-1 win over UJ Ladies with Tshwarelo Mpuru, Lerato Wiliams and Tshegofatso Motlogelwa sharing the goals between themselves for coach Simphiwe Dludlu’s charges who will once again be aiming to put Tsunami Queens to the sword after securing an emphatic 8-0 victory during the reverse tie in Pretoria earlier this season.
Tsunami Queens come off heavy defeats to the top two sides, Sundowns (7-0) and UWC Ladies (3-0), and I’m expecting more of the same at the hands of the third-placed club TUT Ladies.
Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies 2/11
Draw 9/2
Golden Ladies 10/1
(15:00)
Bloemfontein Celtic are priced as heavy favourites to claim maximum points over Golden Ladies in order to leapfrog First Touch FC into fifth position on the log standings, although Siwelele have played three more matches.
Phunya Sele Sele have won their last two games on home soil, coming out trumps over Ma-Indies Ladies (2-0) and Coal City Wizards (2-1), but struggled to replicate that form on their travels tasting defeat against Mamelodi Sundowns (2-0) and JVW FC (1-0).
The hosts will feel undone by last weekend’s cruel defeat which saw them go toe-to-toe with JVW FC for 90 minutes in a hard-fought and cagey affair, later succumbing to an own goal in stoppage time after a penalty box scramble.
Golden Ladies have lost three straight games to Mamelodi Sundowns, Richmond United and Ma-Indies Ladies which has halted their upturn in form. Coach Fani Motaung’s troops are understandably the underdogs in this tie, considering their record on the road which has seen them win just twice in 10 attempts.
When Bloem Celtic travelled to Mafikeng in the reverse clash, Siwelele claimed a 4-1 victory at the North West University with Martha Mahlaola and Nicole Michael netting two goals apiece.
Golden Ladies will be out to prove themselves, however, I predict Celtic making home advantage count.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies 1/50
Draw 10/1
Durban Ladies 22/1
(15:00)
Looking at this fixture on paper you’d think that Sundowns priced at 1/50 means that Durban Ladies have no chance of upsetting the applecart. Well, I’m here to argue my point, unbiasedly of course.
Although I have to warn you that the admiration for my hometown team keeps growing stronger each time, we have the pleasure of watching them. On a rain-soaked Chatsworth Stadium pitch, Durban Ladies equalized twice and eventually claimed a 3-2 victory over Richmond United thanks to Player of the Match Lonathemba Mhlongo.
Goalkeeper Thandeka Ngcobo kept the KZN-based outfit in the match on a number of occasions, producing a string of impressive saves throughout the match, especially to keep Durban Ladies in the lead during the final 10 minutes.
Experienced defender Zamandosi Nene returned to action in style, scoring Durban Ladies’ first goal and will surely add stability to the backline, although the player to watch is Memory Makhanya. Donning the number seven jersey, Makhanya oozes class and is clearly the most important player among the forwards.
Veterans Memory Makhanya and Amanda Mkhize form the perfect balance with the likes of young players such as Lonathemba Mhlongo gaining from their experience day in and day out.
Coach Nkululeko Ntombela will be forming a plan to oust Sundowns, only time will tell if they’re successful, nevertheless, my money is on the draw at 10/1.
Sunday 24 October
Thunderbirds Ladies 15/20
Draw 22/10
UJ Ladies 33/10
(15:00)
Thunderbirds Ladies edged out another 1-0 victory on their travels, their third of the season, this time around it was at the expense of Coal City Wizards away in Witbank. The ladies in red and black have been competitive on their own patch, losing to the likes of the current top four of Mamelodi Sundowns, UWC Ladies, JVW FC and TUT Ladies, but have claimed five wins as well.
Philisa Mjambane earned her second Player of the Match award for the season, four months ago, as her solitary goal decided matters at the Soweto Campus when these sides previously met. The Orange Army haven’t been at their best in away matches, winning just twice over Bloem Celtic and Tsunami Queens in 10 games.
This clash will be broadcast live to Mzansi on Sunday, my prediction is entertaining football will be displayed from both sides. Jessica Wade and Philisa Mjambane are the players to watch for both sides. If the match doesn’t end in a goalless draw, my money is on either Wade or Mjambane to win it.
Let me not sit on the fence, back Philisa Mjambane to inspire her team to yet another victory at the Sisa Dukashe Stadium.
QUAD @ 24/1
TUT Ladies Win 1/8
Bloem Celtic Ladies Win 2/11
Thunderbirds Ladies Win 15/20
Sundowns vs Durban Ladies Draw 10/1
Written by Bryan Naicker