Pro Philani looks back at the past weekend’s football action which saw the return of the thrilling Hollywoodbets Super League!
TS Galaxy Ladies were welcomed with a 1-0 loss at the hands of Eastern Cape side, City Lads in their opening fixture of the season.
In what was termed the ‘biggest heist of the season’, TS Galaxy announced former Banyana internationals in Mammelo Makhabane (127 caps), Mpumi Nyandeni (149 caps), AFCON winner Nomvula Kgaole (17 caps), Nothando Vilakazi (136 caps), amongst many new signings.
Galaxy purchased the status of Vasco Da Gama after failing twice to earn automatic promotion via SASOL playoffs.
The Parow side lasted for just one season in the Super League before bowing out, leaving UWC as the only Western Cape side in the league.
UWC defeated Coal City Wizards 9-1 in what was the biggest result of the weekend to top the log table after match day 1. High scoring games are no stranger in the Hollywoodbets Super League and UWC made a statement of intent to defending champions Sundowns, that this season won’t be a walk in the park for them.
Copperbelt Ladies of Limpopo kick-started their season with a comfortable 2-1 win over another newly promoted side University of Pretoria in Seshego. The 2022 SASOL national champions were at home and needed nothing less than a victory to make their presence in the league felt.
They join First Touch Ladies and Ma-Indies Ladies in the top-flight of South Africa’s premier division of Women’s football.
Still in Limpopo, Ma-Indies were humbled at home 2-0 by Royal AM, whilst First Touch played to a goalless draw against TUT. The massive exit of players at TUT looked to have not affected the technical team as they managed to put together a new team.
#HollywoodbetsSuperLeague Results
— Free Kick Media (@FreeKickMediaSA) February 5, 2023
City Lads 1-0 TS Galaxy
Coal City 1-9 UWC
Ma-Indies 0-2 Royal AM
Durban 0-2 UJ
JVW 1-1 Thunderbirds
Copperbelts 2-1 Pretoria
Sundowns 1-0 Richmond
First Touch 0-0 TUT#Freekickmediasa pic.twitter.com/p8kagEuGA0
Another KZN side, Durban Ladies, were beaten 2-0 at home by University of Johannesburg. UJ are favourites to challenge Sundowns after having a solid season in 2022.
A Mpumi Nyandeni-less JVW came from behind to play to a 1-all draw against Thunderbirds.
Defending champions Sundowns won 1-0 at home against Richmond Ladies. The solitary strike was scored by Lesotho international Boitumelo Rabale who continued with her last season’s form. Sundowns had a chance to model their new recruits which featured Banyana Banyana left back Karabo Dhlamini.
