The Hollywoodbets Super League Amplified Festival at Wits Stadium in Johannesburg delivered dramatic twists in the championship race and relegation battle, with only two rounds of fixtures remaining across the Super Era and Super Rise Streams.
The weekend’s biggest story was University of Fort Hare (UFH) emerging as the new Super Rise log leaders on Sunday after handing longtime log-toppers JVW FC their first defeat of the season in 12 matches.
A stoppage-time penalty converted by Michelle Sampson secured UFH’s sixth consecutive victory since the campaign resumed in August.
The result leaves just two points separating the top three sides, with UFH on 25 points, while JVW and the University of Johannesburg (UJ) have 23 each, setting up an exciting finish to the campaign.
UFH coach, Simphiwe Mafete credited his technical team for their detailed analysis, which he believes has been instrumental in the side’s impressive run of six consecutive victories and a draw since the resumption.
Relegation Battle Heats Up
The Super Era Stream also delivered surprises, with Stellenbosch Ladies FC and Diepkloof Ladies boosting their survival hopes with crucial victories.
The bottom three sides – Richmond United Ladies, Diepkloof and Stellenbosch – head into the penultimate round this coming weekend with just one point separating them.
Stellies thrashed sixth-placed Richmond 3 – 0 on Sunday, with in-form striker Jade Jones continuing her impressive run by scoring a brace and earning another Player of the Match award.
Diepkloof, meanwhile, stunned University of Pretoria (Tuks) 3 – 1 on Friday, denting the latter’s hopes of securing a runners-up finish.
Miche Minnies scored twice, while Onalisa Nenesela also found the net for DK Ladies. Despite the defeat, Tuks striker, Siyamthanda Qashani extended her tally to nine goals to remain the league’s leading scorer.
Mixed Reactions
Tuks coach, Sibusiso Themba admitted the defeat was difficult to digest.
“The minute you start taking your opponents and wins for granted, they’ll hurt you.
“We were sitting nicely in number two and we thought we’ve made it, but it’s not done until the last whistle. Right now, we are in between and we’re not sure whether we’ll make it or not,” he said.
Reacting to Stellies’ second victory of the season, co-coach Shannon said: “The win is coming at the best time for us. When we took over (in August), these were the two fixtures (against Diepkloof and Richmond) where we needed to pick up points. We were realistic about who our competition was.”
Diepkloof coach, Edwin Lisene, meanwhile, believes improved finishing could prove decisive in their survival fight.
“This team will not be relegated because we’ve been unlucky not scoring goals. The past week we worked on finishing. It’s one point to go, but we need six points from the remaining games. UWC is a team I always give problems,” Lisene said ahead of meeting with UWC.
Other Big-Hitters This Past Weekend
On Saturday, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) also won big with their 3 – 0 beating of Ezemvelo Women’s FC, and so did Ramatlaohle Ladies with a 3 – 1 win over City Lads Ladies.
The victory was a rare one for Ramatlaohle. Goals from veteran Noko Matlou, Karabo Phogole and Dineo Masike lifted their side a spot above Limpopo rivals First Touch Ladies who they’ll face next.
For City Lads, whose starlet Imanathi “Neymar” Makinana missed a penalty on the night, the 10th defeat of the season left them rooted at the bottom of the Super Rise Stream log with six points ahead of their next fixture against fellow relegation-threatened Ezemvelo Women’s FC, who are on 11 points.
Downs Close Festival in Style
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies rounded off the Johannesburg festival in emphatic fashion, thrashing TS Galaxy Queens 5 – 0 on Sunday.
Banyana Ba Style have already secured the Super Era Stream title with an unassailable 11-point lead and will now turn their attention to next month’s CAF Women’s Champions League campaign.
Full Results
Friday, 23 October 2026
Diepkloof Ladies 3 – 1 University of Pretoria
University of Johannesburg 1 – 0 First Touch Ladies
Saturday, 24 October 2026
Tshwane University of Technology 3 – 0 Ezemvelo Women’s FC
Copperbelt Ladies 0 – 1 University of Western Cape
Ramatlaohle Ladies 3 – 1 City Lads Ladies
Sunday, 25 October 2026
University of Fort Hare 1 – 0 JVW FC
Stellenbosch Ladies FC 3 – 0 Richmond United Ladies
TS Galaxy Queens 0 – 5 Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies
South African Football: Carlos Alberto Parreira had multiple stints as head coach, including leading the team in the 2010 World Cup.
Mr. Fabulous
Soccer arrived in Africa via British colonials in the 1800’s and quickly spread. Just two decades after its introduction, there were already African teams.
Nueva Nova
Could you perhaps tell me which political party is the ruling party in South Africa?