Basadi in Action Sports

University of the Western Cape (UWC) mentor Thinasonke Mbuli has opened up to Basadi In Action about the departure of key player Sibulele Holweni and her team's preparations for a crucial Hollywoodbets Super League Super Era stream encounter against Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies. UWC will face the high-flying Banyana Ba Style on Saturday afternoon at the Dr Petrus Molemela Stadium, with kick-off scheduled for 15:00.  Hollywoodbets Super League Fixtures The encounter presents a significant test for the Western Cape outfit, who will be looking to challenge a Sundowns side that is yet to concede a goal this season. However, Mbuli, who is affectionately known as "The Bull" within her football circles, remains confident in her team's ability to rise to the occasion and find a way past the reigning champions' stubborn defence. Preparing for high-stakes encounters is part of what drives the UWC mentor, who understands the demands that come with facing a team of Sundowns' ...

Sasol Banyana Banyana have progressed to the third round of the CAF Women’s Olympic Qualifiers, where they are scheduled to face Angola in February or March 2027 as the road to Los Angeles 2028 Olympic Games continues. The remaining 16 African nations will compete in this round, with fixtures to be announced by the Confederation of African football (CAF) ahead of the match window. Amogelang Motau South Africa secured their progression with a 7-0 aggregate victory over Madagascar, winning the second leg 3-0 at Toyota Stadium in Bloemfontein on Tuesday, 13 October. Gabriela Salgado-Moodaly opened the scoring shortly after half-time before substitute Ronnel Donnelly netted twice to seal the win. Amogelang Motau, who was named in the starting lineup of the second leg, reflected on the importance of the result and the team’s continued growth. “Today’s game was a good one. It was one of the games we needed to win to make sure we progressed to the next round of qualifiers, and that was the mo...

Fikile Venessa Magama is a South African female player born in Gugulethu, Cape Town, South Africa. She wears the Number 5 jersey for Banyana Banyana at the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) in Morocco. Magama brings composure, intelligence, and defensive resilience to South Africa's backline. Fikile Magama Born on 19 January 2002, the 24-year-old defender currently plays for UWC Ladies in the Hollywoodbets Super League. Standing at 1.55m, Magama has built a reputation as a fearless and technically gifted defender whose game is defined by excellent positioning, anticipation, and calmness under pressure rather than physical stature. Magama's football journey began at the age of seven, inspired and supported by her grandmother. She developed her skills at Cape Town Roses before moving to Dangerous Heroes in Philippi and later featuring for Phuhla FC, a boys' team, where she further sharpened her competitive edge. Her talent earned her a place at the Universit...

At just 18 years old, Zoe October has become the youngest player in South Africa's squad for the 2026 CAF Women's Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON), marking another milestone in what is shaping up to be a remarkable rise through the ranks of South African women's football. Zoe October  The University of the Western Cape (UWC) attacking midfielder heads to Morocco as part of the Banyana Banyana travelling squad, highlighting not only her immense talent but also the growing impact of the Hollywoodbets Super League in developing the country's next generation of stars. For October, the call-up is the reward for years of dedication and steady progression through the national team pathway. Having already represented South Africa at youth level, she now finds herself sharing a dressing room with some of the country's most accomplished footballers as Banyana Banyana defend their continental crown and chase qualification for the 2027 FIFA Women's World Cup. A Bright Future ...

The third round of the Hollywoodbets Super League Amplified in Polokwane delivered a weekend packed with statement performances as teams from the Super Era and Super Rise groups continued to fight for early-season points at the Old Peter Mokaba Stadium. Lebohang Ramalepe UJ Ladies set the tone on Friday The University of Johannesburg Ladies won a thrilling university derby 4-2 against TUT Matsatsantsa, with Mpho Dlamini netting a brace and earning Player of the Match as UJ climbed into the top two of the Super Rise standings. UJ recorded their second win in three games, their only defeat was to Fort Hare, losing 2-0 in Pretoria.  Later in the day, TS Galaxy Queens continued their strong start by beating Diepkloof Ladies 4-1, with Leandra Smeda scoring twice and Refiloe Jane as well as Babalwa Mngxunya adding another goal to keep Galaxy as strong contenders for the league title. TS Galaxy Queens Head Coach Sizwe Sibiya said that his game plan for this fixture was well executed, “One...

University of the Western Cape (UWC) defender Shakira O’Malley has been named in the Banyana Banyana squad for the upcoming international friendlies against Algeria (7–18 April), as the technical team continues to assess depth and consistency within the backline. Shakira O’Malley © BackpagePix The 23-year-old defender, who was part of the squad at the recent COSAFA Women’s Championship in Polokwane, retains her place in the national setup, taking her senior cap tally to eight. Her continued inclusion points to growing trust from the coaching staff as preparations build toward upcoming continental competitions. O’Malley’s pathway to the senior national team has been gradual but structured. Hailing from Ocean View in Cape Town, she developed through local structures at Ocean View FC before progressing to Spurs WFC, where she gained exposure in a more competitive environment. Her development was further strengthened during her time in the United States, where she featured for the Univ...

For Sinegugu Zondi, representing South Africa women's national football team is more than just stepping onto the pitch — it is about growth, resilience, and constantly striving to improve.  Sinegugu Zondi © BackpagePix The University of the Western Cape Women's Football Team defender recently featured for Banyana Banyana during the COSAFA Women's Championship in Polokwane, where the team battled their way to the final before narrowly falling 2–1 to Namibia women's national football team. Despite the disappointment of the result, Zondi believes the tournament provided invaluable lessons for the squad as they continue preparing for the Women's Africa Cup of Nations that will be hosted in June — venue yet to be confirmed by CAF. Reflecting on the tournament that was staged in Polokwane from February 18 to March 1, 2026, Zondi highlighted the resilience shown by Banyana Banyana throughout the competition. “I think the team showed a lot of character and determination thr...

The 2025 Varsity Women’s Football Final has all the makings of a classic. On Friday, September 19 at 7pm, the UJ Soweto Stadium will play host as the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC) go head-to-head for the crown. Nthabeleng Modiko Both teams have been flawless in the competition. UJ have scored 13 goals without conceding, with Thato Mofolo leading the charts on six goals. UWC have been just as ruthless, firing in 15 goals and conceding only once, with Chelsea Daniels their top scorer on four. The sides are no strangers to each other — they also meet regularly in the Hollywoodbets Super League, where UJ currently sit 6th with 35 points and UWC are 14th with 21 points. But when it comes to Varsity Football, it’s a different stage, and both arrive unbeaten. Coach Modiko on the Journey For UJ Head Coach Nthabeleng “Dunga” Modiko, the path to the final has been about balance, energy, and growth: “My journey with the team into this year’s competit...

As Banyana Banyana prepare to defend their Women’s Africa Cup of Nations (WAFCON) crown in Morocco from 5 to 26 July, the recently announced 28-player preliminary squad by head coach Desiree Ellis is turning heads — not only for the fresh talent included but for the absence of several seasoned champions from the side that lifted the trophy in 2022. Thinasonke Mbuli  © Gallo Images South Africa, who clinched their first-ever WAFCON title in Casablanca three years ago, will enter the 2025 edition as defending champions. However, a number of experienced players who played key roles in that historic triumph have been left out of this year’s setup, signaling a possible changing of the guard. Among the most notable omissions is Thembi Kgatlana, South Africa’s star forward currently playing international football with Tigres in Mexico. She is joined on the sidelines by fellow 2022 squad members including defenders like Janine van Wyk and Noko Matlou, who have since retired from internatio...

 As the Hollywoodbets Super League season in full swing, University of the Western Cape (UWC) are gearing up for their league opener taking on defending champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies and defender Unathi Simayile is preparing for one of the biggest games of her career. The 23-year-old from Cape Town, who recently earned her first call-up to the South African Women’s Senior National Team, sat down with us to discuss her journey as a student-athlete, her national team experience, and her mindset heading into the season opener. Unathi Simayile  ©  Gallo Images Stepping Up to the National Team Q: You recently received a call-up to the South African Women’s Senior National Team. How does playing at that level compare to club football? Unathi Simayile: Playing for the national team is a significant step up from club football. The intensity and level of competition are much higher, with the best players from around the country competing against each other. Every game is a b...