GWSL playoffs captivate, but semis and final on hold due to bad weather
On Sunday, the weather cast a shadow over the Gauteng Women’s Soccer League (GWSL) and put the semi-finals and final on hold after Saturday’s last 16 and quarterfinals delivered both excitement and disappointment on the fields at the Rovers Football Club, in Alberton.
In the last 16, the defending champions, Mamelodi Sundowns, were stretched by United Ladies, but came away with a 2-1 victory to set up a showdown against a determined Kempton Park in the quarterfinals.
Again, Banyana Ba Style’s limits were thoroughly tested by their resilient opposition, but Sundowns eventually scraped a narrow 1-0 win through a penalty conversion late in the match.
With the win, Sundowns remains on track to become the first team to successfully defend the title.
Before their quarterfinal clash with the Brazilians, Kempton Park had also recorded a 2-1 victory in the last 16, beating Thandabantu United.
Reflecting on her side’s hard-fought wins, Sundowns’ coach, Asa Rabalao, told SuperSport Schools Plus that fielding younger players, primarily from Downs‘ Gauteng Women’s Development League (GWDL) team, presented challenges against some of the GWSL opposition, as many of those clubs compete in the Gauteng Sasol League and have more experience than the youthful Sundowns’ squad.
Rabalo said their quarterfinal opponents, Kempton Park, brought a wealth of experience to their clash, and they made it difficult for Sundowns to maintain possession or feel comfortable in their preferred style of play, which emphasises ball control and dictating the pace of the game.
In the end, though, Rabalo said Kempton Park was unable to handle the intensity of Sundowns and that led to the handball, which resulted in the penalty, which Sundowns converted, to claim the win and reach the semifinals.
The defending champions will face Diepkloof Ladies, the champions of the inaugural GWSL tournament in 2022, when it was known as the Gauteng Women’s Soccer Tournament, for a place in the final.
Diepkloof Ladies have impressed with their high-pressure tactics, which has made them a tough challenge for their opposition.
In a key round of 16 clash, they defeated Raycon Ladies, the 2023 GWSL champions, who beat Diepkloof Ladies in the final that year.
In 2022, Diepkloof Ladies had beaten Raycon Ladies to lift the title.
Ahead of Saturday’s showdown, it was one win apiece between the rivals in the competition, but Diepkloof Ladies progressed to the quarterfinals and made it two wins to one with a narrow 2-1 victory.
Then, in the quarterfinals, Diepkloof Ladies took on JVW2, who were supported by a formidable fan base that made their presence known on the sidelines. Earlier, JVW2 had beaten Revelations in a gripping penalty shootout, winning 8-7 from the spot after a 1-1 draw in regulation time.
There was little to separate the sides in their quarterfinal clash, but Diepkloof Ladies grabbed the contest’s only goal to reach the final four with a 1-0 win.
In other matches, Springs Home Sweepers sneaked by Mito Stars 6-5 on penalties after a goalless draw in regulation time. In the quarterfinals, though, Springs Home Sweepers had their journey ended by Blue Birds, who won 1-0. Blue Birds had defeated Future Stars 1-0 in the round of 16.
Electrical Ladies won 2-0 against Asijiki in the round of 16 and they repeated that scoreline in a win over Royal Lions in the quarterfinals.
That leaves Sundowns to tackle Diepkloof Ladies for a place in the final, while Blue Birds go up against Electrical Ladies knowing that the winner will face a former champion for the title.
After each match of the GWSL, the Player of the Match receives football boots. The following players were awarded their football boots after intense battles in the last 16 and in the quarterfinals:
Atlegang Mogale – Thandabantu United (Centre Back)
Tshiamo Segwatle – Blue Birds (Left Wing) in the last 16 and after the quarterfinals
Sethobile Komwande – Mamelodi Sundowns (Right Back)
Nomfundo Motaung – Springs Home Sweepers (Left Centre Back)
Thubelihle Shamase – Electrical Ladies (Right Wing)
Nkamogeleng Tshoke – Diepkloof Ladies (Midfielder)
Atlegang Masemola – JVW (Midfielder)
Mabuza Lehlogonolo – Revelations (Goalkeeper)
Tshiamo Segwatle – Blue Birds (Left winger)
Naledi Motaung – Kempton Park (Right back)
Nonhlanhla Maci – Diepkloof Ladies (Right wing)
Sbongakonke – Electrical Ladies (Midfielder)
RESULTS
Last 16
Mamelodi Sundowns 2-1 United Ladies
Spring Home Sweepers (6) 0-0 (5) Mito Stars
Blue Birds 1-0 Future Stars
Diepkloof Ladies 2-1 Raycon Ladies
Royal Lions 2-0 JVW1
Electrical Ladies 2-0 Asijiki
JVW2 (8) 1-1 (7) Revelations
Kempton Park 2-1 Thandabantu United
Quarterfinals
Diepkloof Ladies 1-0 JVW2
Electrical Ladies 2-0 Royal Lions
Mamelodi Sundowns 1-0 Kempton Park
Blue Birds 1-0 Spring Home Sweepers
FIXTURES
Semifinals
Date and Time: TBC
Blue Birds vs Electrical Ladies
Mamelodi Sundowns vs Diepkloof Ladies
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