Bloemfontein Celtic’s game against Coal City Wizards was called off last weekend, with 20 goals being scored in the other six enthralling clashes. Coach Ciara Picco’s JVW FC tallied seven of those goals, putting Tsunami Queens to the sword.
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This round of fixtures sees the Blue Diamonds take on Richmond United in De Aar, while Durban Ladies aim to return to winning ways in Tshwane against coach Anna Monate’s ultra-impressive TUT Ladies.
Coach Thinasonke Mbuli’s UWC Ladies close out the round on Sunday, seeking to maintain their 100% record on home soil when Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies make the trip to Cape Town.
Saturday 21 August
Richmond United 47/10
Draw 28/10
JVW FC 5/10
The Merino Stadium in De Aar will be the venue as Richmond United play host to JVW FC, aiming to put an end to a poor spell of results that finds them winless in seven league games.
Spirits will be high in the visiting camp, while being hungry for consistency and more success after returning to winning ways with an emphatic 7-0 victory over Tsunami Queens, as Nomthemba Ntsibande, Mamello Makhabane and Robyn Moodaly found the back of the net for the Blue Diamonds.
Captain Nompumelelo Nyandeni impressively took her league tally to 10 goals after just 11 games with a first-half brace, meanwhile Jade Leask and Sandisiwe Nohayi came off the bench to add to the Free State-based club’s woes.
Coach Ciara Picco’s troops will lock horns with UJ Ladies in midweek action prior to the matchup but I don’t see it slowing them down whatsoever. JVW FC are tipped to win confidently.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies 1/20
Draw 10/1
Ma-Indies Ladies 16/1
Mamelodi Sundowns are the benchmark for the top division of women’s football in Mzansi, mirroring the excellence that we’ve been accustomed to watching the men’s team consistently deliver.
The Brazilians flexed their muscles, beating Richmond United 5-1 in Pretoria with Melinda Kgadiete, Andisiwe Mgcoyi netting two goals apiece, while Lerato Kgasago confidently slotted home from the penalty spot.
The only blemish in that performance was conceding a penalty that didn’t allow goalkeeper Asa Rabalao to earn a coveted clean sheet. Ma-Indies come into clash as 16/1 outsiders at the time of writing, failing to win any of their last four games.
The Limpopo-based club settled for a share of the spoils in last Sunday’s game that was broadcasted live with jersey number seven Molepo Rapatsa making sure her side didn’t leave their home clash empty-handed in the 1-1 draw with Thunderbirds Ladies.
However, the visitors are fighting an uphill battle, Sundowns should cruise to another win at the Groenkloof Stadium with the immense quality in depth that coach Jerry Tshabalala has at his disposal.
TUT Ladies 7/20
Draw 7/2
Durban Ladies 6/1
TUT Ladies return home to welcome Durban Ladies after a convincing 3-0 win against Golden Ladies, away at the North West University’s Mafikeng campus. Coach Anna Monate’s side are quietly going about their business under the radar in third position, behind Sundowns and UWC Ladies.
Goals by Marry Ntsweng, Tshwarelo Mpuru and Nombulelo Khumalo sealed victory for the ladies from Tshwane who are surprisingly short-priced favourites against an ever-improving Durban Ladies outfit.
If you’ve read last week’s preview, you’d know that I tipped Durban Ladies and UWC Ladies to play out a low-scoring draw, and as predicted, a goalless draw was the result, stretching the visitor’s unbeaten run to five matches.
Amanda Mkhize and veteran forward Silindile Ngubane have scored 13 goals for the eThekwini side that are desperate to close the gap between themselves and the best teams in Mzansi. I’m going against the bookies and backing the draw at hefty odds of 7/2.
Tsunami Queens 11/2
Draw 28/10
First Touch FC 9/20
Tsunami Queens return home to Harrismith, licking their wounds from yet another thrashing, this time at the hands of JVW FC (7-0). Previously, the hosts were defeated by Sundowns (8-0), Thunderbirds (4-0), TUT Ladies (8-0) and UWC Ladies (3-0) and don’t inspire any confidence if you’re placing a bet.
Luckily, this season won’t have any relegation imposed on the worst finishers and Tsunami Queens can use this campaign as a massive learning curve for the next campaign.
First Touch FC will be disappointed to miss out on maximum points against UJ Ladies, eventually settling for a 1-1 draw, despite taking the lead in the 14th minute through their number seven Precious Choshi.
Put your money on First Touch FC to continue their excellent form on their travels.
UJ Ladies 12/10
Draw 2/1
Coal City Wizards 22/10
UJ Ladies picked up their first point in five games after sharing the spoils in the above-mentioned draw with First Touch FC. Unfortunately, for the Orange Army, Bonisile Nzimande had to come on to replace Jessica Wade minutes before the half-time whistle.
Without one of their best attackers, UJ Ladies will have to rely on their sturdy defence who have only conceded 16 goals after 11 games. This is quite impressive considering their poor spell of results. If goals are being scored up top, they will begin to surge up the standings.
Coal City Wizards are just one point ahead of their hosts in 11th-place and come into the clash winless in four games. However, a defeat to Sundowns and three draws doesn’t really give you the full picture. Mawizards game was called off in Bloemfontein last weekend, meaning they’re hungry to impress.
My prediction is a draw at 2/1.
Thunderbirds Ladies 7/20
Draw 7/2
Golden Ladies 6/1
Thunderbirds Ladies won four straight games before their 1-1 draw at the Giyani Stadium against Ma-Indies Ladies last Sunday, making a taxing 1,428 km trip to Limpopo which visibly left players feeling the effects of the travelling during the second half.
Coach Thembalethu Alpeni proudly exclaimed after the game that he “doesn’t have players, but soldiers who came to fight”. Ultimately, it wasn’t enough to claim maximum points but Thunderbirds will now look forward to strengthening their league position with an almost inevitable victory over the league’s bottom club on the cards.
Golden Ladies have been poor on the road, winning just once, losing four games without scoring, conceding 19 goals in those defeats. Coach Fani Motaung’s team will give their best, but in my opinion, Thunderbirds is the banker of the weekend.
Sunday 22 August
UWC Ladies 5/10
Draw 28/10
Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies 47/10
There’s a lot of speculation going on amongst fans after the sale of Bloemfontein Celtic to Royal AM. What will happen to their youth structures and the Hollywoodbets Super League team?
Last weekend, unplayable playing conditions, due to bad weather in Bloemfontein resulted in Siwele’s game being called off. Prior to that, Celtic had their impressive run of form ended with a defeat in Durban.
UWC Ladies have been incredible at the Operation Room, winning all six games, scoring 16 goals, while conceding just once. Without delving further into this clash, my mind is already made up, back UWC Ladies for the win.
TREBLE @ 9/1
JVW FC Win 5/10
TUT Ladies vs Durban Ladies Draw 7/2
UWC Ladies Win 5/10
