Ezemvelo crowned Sasol League champs

KNYSNA NEWS - The talented players of the Ezemvelo Women's Football Club from KwaZulu-Natal were crowned champions of the Sasol League after beating the UCT Women's Football Team 2-0 in a thrilling Sasol League grand finale on Sunday 20 October at the Loerie Park Stadium in Knysna.

Nontlanzeko Gwala and Banele Madondo scored the two important goals for the KZN women's team.

The following teams took part in this year's play-offs: Ramatlaohle Ladies (Limpopo), Super Strikers (Mpumalanga), FC Raycon Ladies (Gauteng), Kovsies (Free State), Royal Wizards (Northern Cape), Sophakama Ladies (Eastern Cape), University of Cape Town (Western Cape) and Ezemvelo Women's Football Club (KZN).

In the semi-finals, Ezemvelo defeated Ramatlaohle Ladies 1-0. The host team, UCT, punished Kovsies 4-0.

UCT and Ezemvelo gained promotion to the elite National Hollywoodbets Super League for the upcoming 2024/25 season.

Silindile Ngubane of Ezemvelo was one of the shining stars of the final game, creating many chances for her side, while their captain, shotstopper Nonceba Madlala, went home with a clean sheet.

Exciting first half

The UCT players started the game by playing the ball on the ground, trying to get their first goal. Both sides then pushed for their first goal, with Ezemvelo looking very smart on the ball, putting pressure on the UCT backline.

Ezemvelo took a shot at goal from their first free kick, but it was well blocked by a UCT defender.

Nontobeko Mkhwananzi of Ezemvelo played very well on the right side of the field, delivering beautiful crosses inside the box.

Ezemvelo netted their first goal, an excellent header by Gwala from inside the box, after a well-delivered corner kick, to make it 1-0.

UCT chased the game, looking for their first goal, but it was not easy for them to break through the Ezemvelo backline.

UCT were exposed on the right side of the field, and a solo effort by Madondo saw the KZN team extend their lead to 2-0.

Trying to get the ball rolling, looking for more chances inside the box, UCT played an offensive style of football on the flanks, but they failed to score.

The second half of the game saw both teams playing attacking football - with UCT pushing every ball in front of the box, looking for their first goal.

Ezemvelo were building their passes from the centre of the field - slowing down the tempo of the game.

UCT tried their best to come back into the game in the last minutes of the second half, grinding away for their first goal.

But after the final whistle, Ezemvelo went home with the bragging rights.

Best performers of the play-offs:

Referee of the tournament - Hloniphile Msezane
Assistant referee of the tournament - Nolitha Mlhomi
Goalkeeper of the tournament - Kay-dee Windvogel (UCT)
Top goalscorer - Matshantsho Dlamini (Kovsies)
Player of the tournament - Zamandosi Nene (Ezemvelo)
Most promising player of the tournament - Mavis Maiacana (Super Strikers)

Reflections after final

Zamandosi Nene, the player of the tournament, said for her playing soccer while holding down a job was "very easy", as she worked for an organisation in KZN that promoted youth development.