Five Hollywoodbets Super League matches take centre stage after Banyana Banyana made light work of Mozambique in their first round Africa Women Cup of Nations qualifier. Coach Nkululeko Ntombela’s Durban Ladies make the trip to Limpopo to lock horns with Ma-Indies Ladies in the pick of Saturday’s action, while Sunday sees coach Ciara Picco’s ‘Blue Diamonds’ play host to First Touch FC with revenge on their mind.
Saturday 30 October
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies 1/25
Draw 8/1
Coal City Wizards 20/1
(15:00)
Coal City Wizards make the trip to Pretoria to lock horns with defending-champions Mamelodi Sundowns, just a few days after Masandawana’s midweek encounter with a quality UWC Ladies outfit.
Ma’Wizards have had two weeks to prepare for battle after sitting last weekend’s action out. Previously, the team from Mpumalanga were halted in defeats away to Bloemfontein Celtic and Golden and failed to claim maximum points at home to Durban Ladies and Thunderbirds Ladies.
The Brazilians completed a 5-0 routing when these sides met in Witbank as Coal City Wizards unsuccessfully attempted to ‘park the bus’ with forward Lelona Daweti putting in a stellar performance. Expect another Sundowns masterclass.
Richmond United 6/1
Draw 15/4
UWC Ladies 3/10
(15:00)
Richmond United entertain UWC Ladies at the Merino Stadium in De Aar after missing last week’s action. On home soil, their last victory came in emphatic fashion, sweeping aside Golden Ladies by a 4-0 scoreline, while suffering defeat at the Chatsworth Stadium to Durban Ladies in a thrilling end-to-end contest that finished 3-2.
UWC Ladies come off their midweek clash with Mamelodi Sundowns, prior to facing the champions, coach Thinasonke Mbuli’s troops claimed victories over Thunderbirds, JVW FC and Tsunami Queens by scoring three goals in each match.
When these teams previously met, Sibulele Holweni decided matters from the penalty spot in Cape Town after Abongile Dlani was brought down in the box. Noxolo Cesane and Dlani came off the bench to turn on the heat during the second half. I can’t see anything but another win for UWC Ladies.
TUT Ladies 5/10
Draw 28/10
Thunderbirds Ladies 9/2
(15:00)
TUT Ladies host in-form Thunderbirds Ladies in one of the most intriguing Hollywoodbets Super League fixtures on Saturday. Second-placed TUT Ladies will be aiming to continue their excellent form on home soil (only beaten by Sundowns), to keep distance between themselves and third-placed UWC Ladies who’re hot on their heels.
Thunderbirds are unbeaten in five games on the road, claiming 1-0 wins over UJ Ladies, Durban Ladies and Coal City Wizards, while playing out to 1-1 stalemates with First Touch FC and Ma-Indies Ladies.
Nomvula Kgoale assisted Busi Ndimeni for the only goal of the match as TUT Ladies edged out a hard-fought victory at the Sisadakushe Stadium. My money is on coach Simphiwe Dludlu’s charges to make home advantage count.
Ma-Indies Ladies 8/10
Draw 23/10
Durban Ladies 28/10
(15:00)
Ma-Indies Ladies and Durban Ladies are set to meet at the Giyani Stadium for a mouth-watering contest. The hosts will be out for revenge after succumbing to a humiliating 5-1 defeat at the Chatsworth Stadium to coach Nkululeko Ntombela’s team.
Ma-Indies Ladies are unbeaten in six games in Limpopo that includes four draws and two wins. The hosts last played two weeks ago, convincingly running out 4-1 winners against Golden Ladies, while Durban Ladies are winless in their last five away games.
Considering the result in the previous meeting, coupled with Durban Ladies hunger to claim a league double over Ma-Indies, I’m going against the bookies and selecting the away win.
Sunday 31 October
JVW FC 7/10
Draw 22/10
First Touch FC 7/2
(15:00)
JVW FC and First Touch FC will battle it out on Sunday at the Tsakane Stadium. The ‘Blue Diamonds’ will have their sights set on revenge after suffering a 2-1 defeat to the First Touch FC at the Seshego Stadium.
Indira Albuquerque is no longer at JVW FC, her opening goal in Polokwane was cancelled out by First Touch FC goals, either side of the half time whistle.
Coach Ciara Picco’s team have won four of their last five league games, while also keeping four clean sheets in the same period. My money is firmly on JVW FC.
QUINTUPLE @ 12/1
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies Win 1/25
UWC Ladies Win 3/10
TUT Ladies Win 5/10
Durban Ladies Win 28/10
JVW FC Win 7/10
Written by Bryan Naicker