UCT booked their place in the 2017 Varsity Women’s Football semi-finals with a 2-0 win against Kovsies on Friday in their final Group A encounter thanks to two goals from Nina Woermann.
UCT were the better team on the night and thoroughly deserve their place in the last four. UCT first had a brilliant chance to open the scoring early on but Kovsies keeper Mamello Lesosa made a fantastic reflex save to deny Alexandra Houston from point blank range, when scoring seemed the easier option.
For Kovsies, Sisipo Nxasana was pulling the strings as an attacking midfielder creating numerous opportunities for her teammates. UCT defended deep and this allowed the space for Kovsies to work from. UCT found the back of the net first as Sydney May’s dangerous looping cross from the head of Nina Woermann who positioned her header in the bottom right hand corner to make it 1-0 to the Capetonians.
A penalty was then awarded to UCT in the 22nd minute when Wendy Mbeje was brought down inside the box. Woermann stepped up and slotted the penalty to make it 2-0 to her side. UCT had the majority of possession for the rest of the half and could have extended their lead if it had not been for some desperate defence. At the break UCT led 2-0.
The second half meandered along at a slow pace with neither side gaining control of possession long enough to stamp their authority. This would be Kovsies undoing especially as they needed that forward momentum to score three goals in order to win the game.
UCT’s Wendy Mbeje had an excellent game and her tireless runs created a free kick opportunity for Nina Woermann to score her hat-trick, but her shot cannoned off the crossbar to the relief of keeper Lesosa, who was well beaten.
Kovsies’ Ntaoleng Dlamini was one of Kovsies’ best players but her efforts were in vain late on as UCT’s defence stood firm for an important win that takes them into the semi-finals.
FNB Player of the Match: Ashley Tsosane (Kovsies)
Samsung Best Shot Award: Nina Woermann (UCT)
Scorers
Kovsies: 0
UCT: 2
Goals: Nina Woermann (2)
Teams
Kovsies: Mamello Lesosa, Ashley Tsosane , Uma Jakalase, Masekane Letuka, Danisha Witbooi, Zuki Bolsiek, Sisipo Nxasana, Lerato Moshoeshoe, Ntaoleng Dlamini, Silindile Conco, Lekoko Hatliso,
Subs: Thembisile Msimanga, Karabo Mosime, Vusani Ramuvhungu, Trinity Melakeco, Ntsamaeng Tsotetsi, Diana Molathlwe.
UCT: Gcina Panyana, Nonjabulo Mavimbela, Kateko Pule, Shalom Chitanda, Nina Woermann, Mwana Mwale, , Sydney May Emelia Aggouras, Alexandra Houston, Wendy Mbeje , Ntokozo Gwenca
Subs: Paige Orlik, Anna Kaplan, Tasneem Arend, Gretta Sundayithebura, Jaime Newdigate
By Wouter Pienaar
