The Hollywoodbets Super League Amplified Festival in Johannesburg promises an intriguing clash of generations, pitting the league’s oldest player against its youngest.
Ramatlaohle Ladies’ 41-year-old veteran defender, Noko Matlou will come face-to-face with City Lads Ladies’ 14-year-old attacking sensation, Imanathi “Neymar” Makinana when their sides meet at Wits Football Main Stadium on Saturday evening.
With just three rounds remaining in the regular season, the three-day festival could prove decisive in the battle across the Super Era and Super Rise streams.
Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies have mathematically won the Super Era race, leaving their challengers fighting for second place.
Meanwhile, the University of Fort Hare will test long-time leaders JVW FC in a top-of-the-table Super Rise clash. A win for the Eastern Cape side would blow the title race wide open, with UJ also lurking in the background.
A Battle of Generations
The encounter between Ramatlaohle and City Lads will be particularly fascinating, with 27 years separating Matlou and Makinana.
While Banyana Banyana legend, Matlou brings decades of experience, Makinana represents the exciting new generation of South African women’s football talent.
Since returning from a five-year spell in Spain, Matlou, Banyana Banyana’s second-most-capped player with 174 appearances, has featured regularly in Ramatlaohle’s starting line-up, scoring once.
The 2008 CAF Women’s Footballer of the Year credits discipline and consistent training for her longevity.
“I think being disciplined, because if you are disciplined, you avoid a lot of things and you know what you should take into your body,” said the Ga-Phaudi-born defender from Moletji, northwest of Polokwane.
“And also training. If you cheat training, it will also cheat you during the game. So, I always try my level best to keep fit.”
Makinana, meanwhile, recently represented the SA Under-15 team at the SAFA Talent Development Scheme Inter-Provincial Tournament in Johannesburg, where she scored a hat-trick against a Mpumalanga side.
The Grade 6 learner from Ezinyoka in Gqeberha has scored five goals and claimed two Player of the Match awards in the Super League, earning celebrity status among her peers.
She helped City Lads secure their first points and goals of the campaign with a brace in their 3 – 2 victory over Tshwane University of Technology in August. She also scored twice in a 2 – 1 win over First Touch Ladies at the Gqeberha festival before finding the net against UJ last weekend, although City Lads lost 3 – 1.
Must-Win Affairs
City Lads, rooted to the bottom with six points, face an uphill battle to avoid relegation.
Every remaining fixture is effectively a must-win as they hope other results go their way.
Sixth-placed Ramatlaohle are also not entirely safe, with only six points separating them from City Lads.
Meanwhile, Stellenbosch Ladies FC face Richmond United Ladies on Sunday in another crucial encounter, while fellow strugglers Diepkloof Ladies open the festival against second-placed University of Pretoria (Tuks) on Friday.
Diepkloof coach, Edwin Lisene remains hopeful.
“We’ll soldier on — all is not lost.”
Tuks coach, Sibusiso Themba, however, warned against underestimating any opponent.
“In our group, there’s no weak opponent … there’s no easy game. We just have to be on point on the day and collect as many points as possible.”
Second Time Lucky for Galaxy’s New Coach?
TS Galaxy Queens coach, Tebatso Sebela will face Sundowns on Sunday, having previously lost 4 – 0 against the champions with Copperbelt Ladies on 26 September 2026.
Galaxy, fourth in the Super Era, remain in contention for second place, trailing joint second-placed Tuks and the University of the Western Cape by one point.
Full Fixtures
Friday, 23 October 2026
Diepkloof Ladies vs University of Pretoria – 15:00
University of Johannesburg vs First Touch Ladies – 18:00
Saturday, 24 October 2026
Tshwane University of Technology vs Ezemvelo Women’s FC – 11:00
Copperbelt Ladies vs University of the Western Cape – 15:00
Ramatlaohle Ladies vs City Lads Ladies – 18:00
Sunday, 25 October 2026
University of Fort Hare vs JVW FC – 09:00
Stellenbosch Ladies FC vs Richmond United Ladies – 11:00
TS Galaxy Queens vs Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies – 15:00
South African Football: South African clubs are increasingly investing in women’s football.
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