JVW FC looking to close the gap on Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies

A very competitive battle is expected between UWC Ladies and University of JHB Ladies in Cape Town, while Durban Ladies and Thunderbirds Ladies will be hoping to rise up the standings when they encounter Tsunami Queens and First Touch FC respectively.

Just a few short weeks before Banyana Banyana prepare to begin their Africa Women’s Cup of Nations qualification, to book their ticket to Morocco 2022, there’s no better way to choose the cream of the crop than watching the two most talented teams slug it out for bragging rights.

Saturday 5 June

5/2 Durban Ladies | Draw 22/10 | Tsunami Queens 9/10 (13:00)

Durban Ladies remain rooted to the foot of the table after suffering a sixth successive defeat at the UJ Stadium, Soweto Campus, going down 3-1 to University of JHB Ladies. The experience of players like Zamandosi Cele in particular will be critical if the eThekwini side are to claw their way out of danger at this early stage.

Tsunami Queens are winless since the opening round, enduring a five-game winless streak after a 3-0 loss to Golden Ladies last Sunday that included two goals scored from the outside the box. The two sides that are in the poorest form face each other. My money is on these sides to cancel out each other at 22/10.

13/10 Ma Indies Ladies | 2/1 | Bloem Celtic Ladies 18/10 (15:00)

Ma Indies Ladies claimed back-to-back victories for the first time this season, scoring three times without reply, away at the Merino Stadium, De Aar, against Richmond United. Following an underwhelming start to the campaign that found the Limpopo-based outfit winless after four games, Ma Indies Ladies are showing signs of definite improvement.

Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies hosted defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and went down 2-0 at the Dr. Molemela Stadium, with goals by Boitumelo Rabale and Mary Ntsweng inflicting Siwelele’s second league defeat. I’m backing another draw in this clash between two evenly matched opponents.

5/2 JVW FC | 2/1 | Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies 1/1 (15:00)

Despite failing to convert a host of chances in the first half, Isabella Ludwig’s solitary goal was enough for JVW Ladies to come away from the Sisa Dukashe Stadium, East London, with maximum points and climb up to second on the standings.

The Blue Diamonds return home after a 1,934-kilometre round trip to pit their wits against the champions at the Tsakane Stadium. Robyn Moodaly, Gabriela Salgado, Nicole Irwin and Nompumelelo Nyandeni will be tasked with unlocking the Brazilian’s defence that have only conceded twice in their opening six games, while the likes of Amanda Dlamini and Alochia Thobokela will have to be in top form to nullify attacks before they can threaten Kaylin Swart’s goal.

Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies went unbeaten last season in a campaign shortened by the Covid-19 pandemic, it would take an enormous effort to replicate the feat over a 26-game long marathon, especially when determined players from around the country are trying to catch the eye of National Team boss Desiree Ellis.

Coach Jerry Tshabalala’s girls gave their manager much to celebrate with a sixth straight league win, a day after his birthday. However, defeat to JVW Ladies would see Masandawana’s lead completely wiped off and find both teams level on points, as well as firmly asserting the Blue Diamonds as serious challengers for the Brazilian’s crown.

My money is on JVW to end Sundowns’ 27-game winning streak in league competition at valuable odds of 5/2.

31/20 Golden Ladies | 2/1 | Richmond United Ladies 31/20 (15:00)

Golden Ladies have claimed back-to-back victories for the first time this season thanks to Player of the Match, Khensani Nkuna, after a disappointing start which saw the Mahikeng-based team go winless in their opening four games. Coach Fani Motaung’s side have also kept two clean sheets on the trot after conceding 13 goals in four matches.

Richmond United Ladies travel to the Montshioa Stadium desperately needing to get back to winning ways following defeats to Bloemfontein Celtic Ladies (3-2) & Ma Indies Ladies (3-0). Former Under-17 starlet and the league’s current top goal scorer Nthabiseng Majiya will have to drag her team out of this with goals. Back Golden Ladies to continue their upturn in form at 31/20.

31/20 Coal City Wizards Ladies | 2/1 | TUT Ladies 31/20 (15:00)

Coal City Wizards Ladies had their two-game winning streak ended with a convincing 4-0 defeat at the hands of UWC Ladies in Cape Town. The hosts will be aiming to get back on track at the Puma Stadium, Witbank, when TUT Ladies come to town.

TUT Ladies pulled off the upset of the past weekend, downing the much-fancied First Touch Academy 3-0 in Pretoria thanks to a Tiisetso Makhubela strike and a Busi Ndimeni brace.

Take TUT to continue with their impressive goal-scoring prowess and bag the valuable three points on the road.

9/10 UWC Ladies | 22/10 | University of JHB Ladies 5/2 (15:00)

UWC Ladies ran out 4-0 winners thanks to Tiffany Kortjie, Noxolo Cesane, Abongile Dlani and Janice Smith’s goals on home soil. The Mother City-outfit are now up to fourth on the standings and will be hoping for either JVW FC or Masandawana to drop points in this weekend’s headline clash.

University of JHB Ladies come off a 3-1 win over bottom side Durban Ladies, thanks to a Jessica Wade brace and captain Refilwe Maseko putting the game to bed in the first half, going into the break 3-0 up. My money is firmly on coach Thinasonke Mbuli’s team to claim another victory at the UWC Stadium, my best bet for the weekend.

Sunday 6 June

9/20 First Touch | 28/10 | Thunderbirds Ladies 5/1 (15:00)

First Touch will be desperate to get back to winning ways after losing ground on Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and JVW FC in the last two matches. Coach Rhulani Mathebula’s side won their opening four games, then went on to share the spoils against UWC Ladies (1-1) and suffered their first league defeat away at TUT Ladies (3-0) last time out.

Thunderbirds Ladies make the trip to the Old Peter Mokhaba stadium as heavy outsiders. Coach Thembalethu Alpeni’s troops have lost five games on the bounce and need to remedy the situation immediately. Get on First Touch to make the home advantage count!

TREBLE @ 86/10
JVW Ladies Win 5/2
First Touch Win 9/20
UWC Ladies Win 9/10