18 September 2026 – As the Hollywoodbets Super League Amplified Festival rolls into Limpopo this weekend, it is fitting that the event at the University of Limpopo in Mankweng will also shine a spotlight on one of the province’s sporting heroes, Banyana Banyana legend, Noko Matlou.
September is a special month for Matlou, who turns 41 on 30 September — a personal milestone that underlines her remarkable longevity as she continues to compete in South Africa’s national women’s league.
The veteran spent five years plying her trade in Spain before returning to the domestic game she left when the women’s league was still in its early stages.
Matlou, who hails from Ga-Phaudi in Moletji, north-west of Polokwane, joined Ramatlaohle Ladies FC this season and has brought a wealth of experience to the side — as well as being a prominent name to a league that is home to many of the country’s Banyana Banyana players.
Did You Know?
Ramatlaohle Ladies is one of three Limpopo representatives in the Hollywoodbets Super League, alongside First Touch Ladies and Copperbelt Ladies.
The fact that opposition teams continue to regard Matlou as a threat says plenty about the quality and influence of a player who has spent decades competing at the highest level of the game.
Once renowned for her goalscoring exploits as a striker, Matlou has now settled into a defensive role, demonstrating her versatility.
According to Ramatlaohle Ladies head coach, Betty Maseko, the seasoned campaigner — who has 174 Banyana Banyana caps and 66 international goals — has brought invaluable experience to a club that was only established three years ago.
Ramatlaohle earned promotion to the top tier last season.
“Having Noko in the team is a blessing. She is not only experienced as a player, but she is a leader in the group of mostly young players,” said Maseko, a CAF A Licence holder and former Banyana Banyana player.
Matlou is expected to lead fifth-placed Ramatlaohle when they close the Limpopo festival against Ezemvelo Women’s FC, who occupy sixth place, on Sunday afternoon.
The two sides are separated by two
points on the Super Rise Stream table.
First Touch Fighting For Survival
Matlou is not the only Limpopo football story worth following this weekend’s Amplified Festival.
First Touch Ladies have become an important part of the province’s football landscape, thanks in large part to founder and coach, Sipho Kekana, a traffic officer who established the club in 2018 with the aim of creating opportunities for girls through football.
Known as Dikgoshigadi tsa Limpopo — The Queens of Limpopo, First Touch are fighting to stay in the top tier league.
Kekana’s side will face Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in the final fixture of the opening day of the festival on Saturday.
The Limpopo outfit suffered a 1 – 0 defeat to University of Fort Hare in their previous match, while TUT also lost 3 – 2 to City Lads at the festival that TUT hosted last weekend.
“It’s not going to be an easy game against TUT,” said Kekana.
“Each one of us wants to see ourselves in the top four.”
Beware of the Elephants
While much of the attention has been focused on the bigger-name clubs, Copperbelt Ladies have been quietly going about their business.
Ditlou (The Elephants), are lurking just behind the Super Era Stream’s top three — Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, University of Pretoria (Tuks) and University of the Western Cape (UWC).
Copperbelt, who still have a game in hand, will face TS Galaxy Queens on Saturday on the back of two consecutive victories since the resumption of the league campaign in August.
Copperbelt coach, Tebatso Sebela, has challenged his players to produce another strong performance against Galaxy.
“We have never won against Galaxy, so we want to make history,” said Sebela.
“We want to maintain our winning run, so we don’t want to disappoint our fans at home. We are going to fight with all we have.”
A Festival Packed with Big Clashes
The Limpopo festival will also feature two derbies in the Super Era Stream, headlined by the top-of-the-table clash between leaders Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and second-placed Tuks.
The Pretoria derby is scheduled for Sunday morning.
The Cape Town derby between UWC and Stellenbosch Ladies will open the festival on Saturday morning.
In the Super Rise Stream, it is a clash between top and bottom when log leaders JVW FC face last-placed City Lads on Saturday evening.
For Matlou, however, the weekend will provide another reminder of a remarkable journey that has taken her from Ga-Phaudi to the biggest stages in African and international women’s football — and back home to the league where it all began.
Full Fixtures
Saturday, 19 September 2026
Stellenbosch Ladies vs University of Western Cape — 09:00
University of Johannesburg vs University of Fort Hare — 11:00
Copperbelt Ladies vs TS Galaxy Queens — 15:00
JVW FC vs City Lads — 18:00
Tshwane University of Technology vs First Touch Ladies — 20:30
Sunday, 20 September 2026
Diepkloof Ladies FC vs Richmond Ladies — 09:00
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies vs University of Pretoria — 11:30
Ramatlaohle Ladies vs Ezemvelo Women’s FC — 15:00
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