Defending champs Sundowns into GWSL last 16
The fourth edition of the Gauteng Women’s Soccer League (GWSL) kicked off in the first week of November and is now set to head into the knockout phase of the competition after the group stage concluded at the Rovers Football Club, in Alberton, on the weekend.
Diepkloof Ladies, who won the inaugural tournament in 2022, are among the teams that have qualified for the next phase.
The 2023 champions, Raycon Ladies, also advanced and face off against Diepkloof Ladies in a mouthwatering round of 16 clash on Saturday, 15 November.
In 2022 and 2023, Raycon and Diepkloof met in the title games, with Raycon winning their 2023 meeting 1-0, thanks to a stunning free kick executed by Loretah Ncube, which left the Diepkloof Ladies’ goalkeeper in disbelief.
Mamelodi Sundowns, the 2024 champions of the GWSL, also qualified for the last 16, which means all of the previous champions are through to the knockout rounds. The Brazilians take on United Ladies.
It has been an incredible season for Sundowns. Their u13, u15, u17, and u19 boys’ teams all won Gauteng Development League titles.
Additionally, the Sundowns’ u17 team in the Gauteng Women’s Development League also claimed the title, concluding the season with just one defeat, although that loss was the first that the club had suffered under the guidance of coach Rhoda Mulaudzi.
They finished the season with an eye-opening tally of 213 goals scored and only 24 conceded.
In October, Mamelodi Sundowns was also crowned the winner of the Gauteng Sasol League. Now, they have their sights set on the GWSL trophy, aiming to become the first side to successfully defend the title.
Saturday GWSL Recap
On Saturday, in Group A, Luso Africa surged into a 3-0 lead against Raycon Ladies, but the former champions showed strong character, fighting their way back to share a 4-4 draw.
Asijiki secured a 1-0 victory over United Ladies, while Mito Stars triumphed 2-0 against Raycon Ladies. Luso Africa had to settle for a second draw when they met United Ladies, with that match ending 2-2.
In Group B, Mamelodi Sundowns started strongly with an early 2-0 victory over Blue Birds. In their second outing, though, the defending champions were stunned 2-1 by Royal Lions. Lions continued their excellent form with a big 5-0 win over Brazilian Ladies.
The University of Pretoria (Tuks) played to a 2-2 draw with Blue Birds. Then, they hit the afterburners in scorching Brazilian Ladies 9-0.
Despite that impressive win, Tuks mustered only one victory from their three group matches, which meant they missed out on the last 16.
In Group E, Diambars Sunward, the recent winner of the inaugural Phoenix Elites SA Annual Games, found the going tough. They fell 0-2 to Electrical Ladies and, also, 0-2 to Kempton Park, which meant they failed to progress to the knockout stage of the competition.
Thandabantu United secured a slim 1-0 victory over Rosina Sedibane, who also suffered a 0-2 loss against Electrical Ladies.
Sunday GWSL Recap
On Sunday, some teams which had not yet booked a place in the last 16 had an opportunity to advance.
In Group C, JVW 2 scored a narrow 1-0 victory over the 2022 champions Diepkloof Ladies. Later, Kenneth Football Club (KFC) held JVW 2 to a 1-1 draw.
After an initial loss, Diepkloof Ladies rebounded to win their second match with a score of 2-0 against Remember Elite Sport Academy (RESA). Springs Home Sweepers recorded a 3-1 win over KFC and drew goalless against RESA.
In Group D, JVW 1 kicked off their Sunday schedule with a 1-1 draw against Future Stars. Later in the day, they were held to a 0-0 stalemate by Revelation, who had edged out Edenvale 2-1 in their Sunday opener.
Edenvale recovered with a convincing 4-1 win over the hosts, Rovers, while Future Stars rolled to a 6-0 victory over Rovers.
In Group E, Diambars Sunward suffered two more defeats, going down 0-2 against Rosina Sedibane. Then, Thabandabantu handed them a fourth 2-0 loss in succession.
In other Group E matches, Kempton Park cruised to a 5-0 victory over Rosina Sedibane, while Thandabantu United picked up a tight 1-0 win over Electrical Ladies. Kempton Park also took down Electrical Ladies, winning 1-0.
RESULTS
Saturday, 8 November
Group A
Luso Africa 4-4 Raycon
Asijiki 1-0 United Ladies
Mito Stars 2-0 Raycon
Luso Africa 2-2 United Ladies
Group B
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-0 Blue Birds
Royal Lions 5-0 Brazilian Ladies
Tuks 2-2 Blue Birds
Royal Lions 2-1 Mamelodi Sundowns
Tuks 9-0 Brazilian Ladies
Group E
Electrical Ladies 2-0 Diambars Sunward
Thandabantu United 1-0 Rosina Sedibane
Kempton Park 2-0 Diambars Sunward
Electrical Ladies 2-0 Rosina Sedibane
Sunday, 9 November
Group C
JVW2 1-0 Diepkloof Ladies
Springs Home Sweepers 0-0 RESA
JVW2 1-1 KFC
Diepkloof Ladies 2-0 RESA
Springs Home Sweepers 3-1 KFC
Group D
JVW1 1-1 Future Stars
Revelation FC 2-1 Edenvale FC
Future Stars 6-0 Rovers FC
JVW1 0-0 Revelation FC
Edenvale FC 4-1 Rovers FC
Group E
Rosina Sedibane 2-0 Diambars Sunward
Thandabantu United 1-0 Electrical Ladies
Kempton Park 5-0 Rosina Sedibane
Thandabantu United 2-0 Diambars Sunward
Kempton Park 1-0 Electrical Ladies
FIXTURES
Last 16
Saturday, 15 November
09:00
Match 1 – Thandabantu United vs Kempton Park, Field 1
Match 2 – Mamelodi Sundowns vs United Ladies, Field 2
Match 3 – Springs Home Sweepers vs Mito Stars, Field 3
Match 4 – Blue Birds vs Future Stars, Field 4
10:30
Match 5 – Revelations vs JVW 2, Field 1
Match 6 – Diepkloof Ladies vs FC Raycon, Field 2
Match 7 – Royal Lions vs JVW 1, Field 3
Match 8 – Asijiki vs Electrical Ladies, Field 4
Quarterfinals
12:00
Winner Match 1 vs Winner Match 2, Field 1
Winner Match 3 vs Winner Match 4, Field 2
Winner Match 5 vs Winner Match 6, Field 3
Winner Match 7 vs Winner Match 8, Field 4
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