The University of the Western Cape (UWC) Women’s Football team presented the institution with a “Women’s Day Gift” on Friday when they won the Varsity Football Women’s tournament for the second consecutive year.
The gift was even sweeter not only because they managed to turn the tables against their nemesis from the Tshwane University of Technology in their backyard but also because they scooped almost every award on offer. UWC captain Tiffany Kortjie was named the Player of the Match; striker Ronnel Donnelly walked away with both the Player of the Tournament and the Top Goalscorer of the tournament, and goalkeeper Thandeka Ngcobo received the Golden Gloves accolade as the best in her position.
Coach Thinasonke Mbuli expressed immense pride in her team’s achievement, emphasising the significance of their back-to-back titles.
“We are extremely happy â- we’ve won this tournament before, but this one was special because it was a back-to-back championship. This victory reflects the hard work and dedication of our players. Our recruitment process has brought in talented young players who have already made an impact, not just in this tournament but also in the Hollywoodbets Super League team and the Sasol league,” said Mbuli.
Mbuli highlighted the challenge UWC was given of representing South Africa in the CAF Champions League-COSAFA Qualifiers in Malawi when it becomes the first university in Africa to participate at such a high level.
“It will be tough, completely different from what we’re used to here at home. But we are ready. We understand the responsibility we carry, and we promise to give our best in Malawi,” she said.
UWC Rector and Vice-Chancellor, Professor Tyrone Pretorius, met the victorious team upon their arrival at Cape Town International Airport and lauded their accomplishments.
“I am in awe of this particular group of footballers, winning back-to-back Varsity Football titles – crowned in Women’s Month. The women’s football side will represent South Africa in a CAF qualifier. UWC players dominate the lineup in Banyana Banyana squads,â said Prof Pretorius.
“These achievements are no accident but a testament to our deliberate investment in the women’s game. I am immensely proud of the players. Sport is part of the holistic development of our students as we strive to produce well-rounded graduates who have the best of both worlds: a high-quality tertiary education at an institution where they can participate in top-level sports. This enables student-athletes to have a career after their sports careers end.”
Deputy Vice-Chancellor: Student Development and Support, Professor Matete Madiba, hosted a send-off ceremony on Monday for the team before they departed for Malawi.
“We consider this a Women’s Day gift from our women’s soccer team to the university, and we appreciate what they’ve done. We are so thankful they are raising the UWC banner so high in higher education,â said Prof Madiba.
“They are champions for the third time, which means they have worked hard to keep this record. It wasn’t just a per chance, lucky, once in a blue moon hit-and-run type of success. But they are saying it is a track record that they are keeping.
âWe acknowledge the hard work, teamwork, team ties and connections that must be kept at this level. And we are also so thankful that the UWC banner they are raising so high is not only happening at a national level. They are also taking us into the continent so that as a university, the continent will know we are a university and a force to be reckoned with.”
UWC will begin its qualifiers against Green Buffaloes of Zambia at 3pm on Thursday.
