Varsity Women's Football Match Report: Semi-final
An utterly dramatic and penalty shootout had to separate TUT and UWC in the second 2017 Varsity Women's Football semi-final with TUT showing their nerve when it mattered most to win the match 4-3 on penalties. Read: UJ Secure Final Spot After Thrashing UCT 4-0 Nokwanda Shabangu hit the winning penalty as her side went on a celebratory run at the Fanie du Toit Sports Grounds in Potchefstroom. The match previously ended 1-1 after full-time in a balanced game where both sides showed attacking intent throughout. TUT will now face UJ in next weekend's final in what promises to be a cliff-hanger if the weekend was anything to go by. In normal time TUT had a couple of half-chances in the opening ten minutes, but UWC's defence of Nolubabalo Sishuba and Nicole October did well to keep the TUT attackers at bay. UWC then had a chance of their own as they caught TUT on the break. This resulted in Abongile Dlani testing Mpho Monangwe with a shot from close range that the keeper parried away for a corner. Left back Salome Kekana had a terrific game for TUT as she constantly roamed forward from defence, putting in tantalising crosses for her teammates. Bontle Mashilo and Lizzel Mokoana, though, could not make the most of these balls in the box. UWC almost made TUT pay with great counter-attacking football but Dlani's shot skimmed the crossbar as the girls in yellow came close to taking the lead in a tense semi-final. Click here to check out the PSL fixtures With one minute to go, TUT got their break when Salome Dikgale was brought down in the box and the referee duly pointed to the penalty spot much to the dismay of UWC. TUT captain Kgomotso Mashiloane successfully converted the spot kick to give her side a 1-0 lead at half-time. TUT kept creating chances in the second half and were desperate to get another goal for some insurance. Katlego Kwhinana came close with a long-range drive and Mashilo nearly capitalised on a beautiful cross. UWC's Thalea Smidt had another fantastic game in the centre of the park as she pulled the strings with some brilliant diagonal balls that put pressure on TUT's defence. Aaqilah Alfreds then showcased a moment of brilliance when she equalised for UWC with a marvellous right-footed free kick that put the game at 1-1 with 15 minutes to go. It was now anyone's game as the side with patience, persistence and BMT would go on the win it. That team proved to be TUT who took the penalty shootout and secured their place in a home final.
