Excitement grows ahead of 3rd edition of Gauteng Women’s Soccer League
The teams and fixtures for the Gauteng Women’s Soccer League (GWSL), formerly known as the Gauteng Women’s Soccer Tournament (GWST), have been officially announced. The competition kicks off on 2 November at Rovers FC in Alberton.
Mondli Dube, the Tournament Director, told SuperSport Schools Plus that the third edition of the tournament, which has been supported by a partnership with the Gauteng Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation, is set to deliver an unforgettable event, with prizes to the value of R40 000 up for grabs.
The tournament will feature 20 teams competing in both league and knockout formats, with aQuellé and Sports Effect serving as the headline sponsors.
Heading into its third edition, the GWSL has quickly drawn public interest, particularly among football fans keen on promoting women’s football. In an interview with SuperSport Schools Plus, Dube expressed his satisfaction that the tournament has been embraced by football fans, adding that the resilience of his organising team had helped ensure the event’s support and success.
He described 2023’s second edition of the event, won by Raycon FC, after a 1-0 win over Diepkloof Ladies in the final, as remarkable. Raycon had finished as the runners-up in 2022, losing out to the team they beat for the title in 2023, Diepkloof Ladies.
“We are delighted to announce the third edition dedicated to women’s soccer, as the world of soccer expands and motivates all of us across the world,” Dube said.
“Thanks to the media houses that [have] covered this tournament. We hope that they can do the same again this year in November – the 2nd, 3rd, 9th, 10th, 16th, and 17th – at Rovers Football Club.”
The Tournament Director said women’s football continues to experience strong growth and its popularity is expanding rapidly. “With a rise in viewership numbers and heightened fan engagement, the GWSL is poised to achieve a significant milestone in the history of the sport”, he reckoned.
Dube also expressed his gratitude for the steadfast support of the Department of Sports, Arts, Culture, and Recreation.
“The third annual GWSL promises to be a celebration of talent, determination, and the indomitable spirit of women’s soccer,” he enthused. “As the teams prepare to take the field, they know they are not just playing for victory, but for the love of the game and the advancement of women’s soccer in Gauteng and beyond.”
FIXTURES
2 November: Group A
09:00 – Field 1: Mito Stars vs Kempton Park Stars
09:00 – Field 2: Zebra Force vs FC Raycon
11:00 – Field 1 Kempton Park Stars vs Zebra Force
2 November: Group B
09:00 – Field 3: Electrical Ladies vs Springs Home Sweepers
09:00 – Field 3: Blue Birds Ladies vs Rovers FC
11:00 – Field 3: Rand Central LFA vs Electrical Ladies
11:00 – Field 4: Spring Home Sweepers vs Blue Birds Ladies
13:00 – Field 2: Rovers FC vs Rand Central LFA
3 November: Group C
09:00 – Field 1: M.U.S.A vs Future Stars
09:00 – Field 2: Royal Lions vs JVW 1
11:00 – Field 1: RESA vs M.U.S.A
11:00 – Field 2: Future Stars vs Royal Lions
13:00 – Field 1: JVW 1 vs RESA
3 November: Group D
09:00 – Field 3: Luso Africa vs JVW 2
09:00 – Field 4: Mamelodi Sundowns vs Diepkloof Ladies
11:00 – Field 3: Wits University vs Luso Africa
11:00 – Field 4: JVW 2 vs Mamelodi Sundowns
13:00 – Field 2: Diepkloof Ladies vs Wits University
