UCT women’s soccer side set sights on national stage

Serenity Warner of UCT controls the ball with The Magic’s Nicole October in pursuit during the Western Cape Sasol League Final played at the University of the Western Cape’s Campus on Saturday.

A historic Grand Slam and a place in the national Super League Cup looms for the University of Cape Town’s women’s football team.

The students celebrated their second success of the season when they beat The Magic Ladies 3-0 at the University of The Western Cape Campus on Saturday to clinch the Western Cape Sasol League title.

Michaela Liebenberg, Earon Isaacs and Katlego Mabuza scored the all-important goals to send them to next month’s national provincial play-offs. The play-offs are scheduled to be held “somewhere” in the Western Cape. The province has been chosen to host the national event next month at a venue yet to be decided.

Tiyana Corollissen of The Magic FC and Basheerah Esmael of UCT fight for possession during the Western Cape Sasol League Final played at the University of the Western Cape’s Campus on Saturday.

The two top teams at the national play-offs will earn a place in the national Hollywoodbets Super League. The Hollywoodbets Super League is at this stage the equivalent of the men’s Betway Premier League in this country.

They have already won the Safa Cape Town regional league and added the Western Cape provincial title on Saturday while they will be in action on Sunday in Dunoon where they will be contesting in the quarter-finals of the Coke Cup against RV United. Last season they exited from the Coke Cup in the quarter-final stage, a competition which they won in 2019 and 2022 respectively.

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UCT coach Ahmed Parker says while he gave his players a two-day break after beating The Magic, his players will now turn their attention to winning the Coke Cup.

Parker who holds a BSc Sport Science degree from UWC and a CAF A Coaching Diploma says dedication and hard work has been the cornerstone to his side’s success.

“Look, contrary to popular belief, we battle with resources and support. But despite this we are continuously achieving success due to the commitment of the players. It’s a combination of my scientific approach and the passion I bring to the sport. I believe that if I can teach a player and help younger coaches to develop then I have achieved something.

Earon Isaacs of UCT and Jamie-Lee Witbooi of The Magic were involved in a fierce tussle for possession of the ball during the Western Cape Sasol League Final played at the University of the Western Cape’s Campus on Saturday.

“I believe in a life coaching approach and combining that with my football coaching methods and of course listening to other coaches to bring the best out the players.

“Look I have been around, and the irony is. I once coached at The Magic itself and I have great respect for George Dearnaley, coach at The Magic,” said Parker.