UCT Women’s Football finishes second at the SASOL National Championships

The University of Cape Town (UCT) Women’s Football team won the Western Cape SASOL League and recently competed in the SASOL National Championships held between 16 and 19 October in Knysna.

Despite the challenges the team faced, they remained focused. They demonstrated exceptional perseverance both on and off the field. This mindset was key in helping the UCT Women’s team navigate the distractions and stay on track toward their goal of reaching the final. On Friday, October 18, they secured a decisive 4–0 victory over Kovsies FC in the semifinals, earning a spot in the final against Ezemvelo WFC on Sunday, 20 October. Although they fell short in the final, losing 0–2, goalkeeper, Kay-Dee Windvogel, was recognised as the Goalkeeper of the Tournament for her outstanding performance.

Mark Bashe, UCT sport and recreation manager, reflects on the team’s journey, acknowledging both the challenges they encountered and the strength they showed throughout the tournament.

“The team went into the SASOL National Championships with high spirits and a clear sense of purpose, having faced many of the same opponents in previous seasons. This familiarity with the competition allowed us to fine-tune our strategy and approach each match with confidence.”

The team’s primary goal throughout the season was to secure a spot in the Hollywoodbets Super League for the following year, and every training session, tactical decision, and game plan revolved around achieving this. Their strategy focused on maintaining solid defensive organisation and maximising their counterattack opportunities while ensuring formidable team cohesion.

Logistical hurdles and immediate solutions

However, despite their preparation, unforeseen logistical issues arose upon their arrival in Knysna.

“There were indeed some logistical challenges encountered by the team on arrival in Knysna. However, the team management has addressed the issues with SAFA [South African Football Association], who were responsible for logistical arrangements for all teams at the tournament,” Bashe said.

UCT Sport and the university community provided support during this challenging time.

“The university stepped in to make alternative arrangements, which ensured that the team could focus as much as possible on the matches.”

One of the significant setbacks was the accommodation issue. The team had initially been assured of proper lodging and meals during their stay at Monks Holiday Park, but upon arrival, it was discovered that the park was a self-catering facility. The team manager had to personally cover meal expenses with the expectation of reimbursement.

“The players were well taken care of throughout the tournament, allowing them to stay focused and perform at their best.”

“The university appreciates the contingency initiative taken by the team manager under the unfortunate circumstances, and is processing the reimbursement for the incurred costs,” Bashe said. “To further support the team during this time, we also sent our sports coordinator, Clement du Plessis, to Knysna to take over the responsibility of managing the team’s meals. This ensured that the players were well taken care of throughout the tournament, allowing them to stay focused and perform at their best.”

An emotional setback – coaches’ car accident

While dealing with the accommodation issue, the team faced an even greater emotional blow when three of their coaches were involved in a car accident en route to Knysna from Cape Town. Two of the coaches sustained minor injuries and were discharged from the hospital soon after, but the driver suffered a broken arm and had to undergo surgery.

“We were very concerned for the coaching staff’s well-being after the accident, and it came as a huge relief to hear that the injuries were not as bad.”

The coaching staff’s commitment was evident when two of the three coaches, despite their injuries, joined the team for the second match after their discharge from hospital. Their presence provided an emotional boost for the players, who went on to win their match against Eastern Cape-based team Sophakama FC, 6-0, on day three of the competition.

Reflection and looking forward

Reflecting on the team’s performance, Bashe is optimistic about the way forward for UCT Women’s Football.

“We are thrilled with the team’s performance and excited about the opportunities ahead in 2025 as we join the Hollywoodbets Super League. The future of UCT Women’s Football looks promising as we prepare to compete at the highest level in the country. We are actively seeking sponsors and partnerships to help ensure our place in the league and to attract top student-athletes to our university.”