Having helped Banyana Banyana win the Aisha Buhari Cup in Lagos, UWC coach Thinasonke Mbuli is now hoping for a change of fortune in the Varsity Football women’s tournament.
Banyana did the unthinkable by beating hosts Nigeria 4-2 in the final, much to the delight of assistant coach Mbuli and head coach Desiree Ellis.
Banyana arrived back in South Africa on Thursday and will play in the women’s Cosafa Cup in Port Elizabeth from 28 September to 9 October.
However, Mbuli will not travel with them to the Eastern Cape as she has some business to take care of in Varsity Football. She is determined to lift the trophy with UWC and end TUT’s six-year reign as champions.
UWC have suffered five consecutive cup final defeats, including a 4-1 loss to TUT on penalties in Mafikeng in 2019.
‘The pain of losing that final was unbearable,’ says Mbuli. ‘We scored first but TUT equalised and won on penalties. It’s about time we get it right and win our first title. We are determined to break the cycle.’
Mbuli says Varsity Football is a ‘tricky tournament’ as it caters for the U25 age group, so three of her senior players are ineligible.
‘But we will use 90% of our players who play in the Hollywoodbets Super League and we have prepared well,’ she adds.
UWC are in Group B with UL, UJ and NWU. Their first match is against UJ at Tuks Stadium on 29 September (16:30, SuperSport Variety 4, channel 209).
‘I don’t know what to expect from UL and NWU,’ says Mbuli. ‘They are a closed book.
‘I’m worried about day two of the competition when we play two games, which will test our depth.
‘It is a tricky group, but we want to go all the way.’
PLAYER TO WATCH
Tiffany Kotjie is quick and physical for her body frame. She is an intelligent player with a gifted right foot. Kotjie, who has represented SA U17 and SA U20, proves that dynamite comes in small packages.
DID YOU KNOW?
- UWC has played in every Varsity Football women’s final since 2015.
- They have three players in the Banyana Banyana squad – Regirl Ngobeni, Noxolo Cesane and Bonegka Gamede.
- UWC has three SA U20 representatives – Tiffany Kortjie, Fikile Magama and Kay-dee Windvogel.
TEAM FACT FILE
Nickname: Udubs
Province: Western Cape
Appearances: Five (2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Biggest win: 10-2 against UKZN (2019)
Biggest loss: 2-0 against TUT (2015)
2021 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Regirl Ngobeni, Kaydee Windvogel
Defenders: Simnikiwe Mhlakaza, Antonia Maponya, Sinegugu Zondi, Bongeka Gamede, Tshegofatso Senanya, Zikhona Nogqala
Midfielders: Babalwa Mngxunya, Noxolo Cesane, Amogelang Motau, Teffany Kortjie
Strikers: Khanya Xesi, Janice Smith, Philisa Ncivata, Andiswa Mthethwa, Siphosethu Qokama
TECHNICAL TEAM
Head coach: Thinasonke Mbuli
Assistant coach: Wonderboy Sibiya
Goalkeeper coach: Vulindlela Biko
Physiotherapist: Keegan Hunt
Compliance officer: Hassan Sobekwa
Team manager: Wendy Nomatse
2021 Varsity Football women’s fixtures
By Charles Baloyi
