Picture: SA elite women’s league’s youngest player, Imanathi Makinana/Supplied
By STAFF REPORTER
6 October 2026 – The South African elite women’s league’s youngest player, Imanathi Makinana (14), brought down the curtain in grand style at the Hollywoodbets Super League Amplified Festival in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape, at the weekend. Buoyed by a sizeable home crowd at Westbourne Oval on Sunday, Makinana’s brace helped City Lads Ladies to a 2 – 1 win over First Touch Ladies.
The pint-sized attacker, nicknamed Neymar after the Brazilian star, converted two penalties – one in each half – to earn her side their second win of the season. She was also named Player of the Match. Makinana arrived at the mini-tournament just a few days after representing 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 team.
The budding star now has four league goals, having also bagged a brace when City Lads picked up their first points and goals of the campaign in a 3 – 2 win over Tshwane University of Technology a fortnight ago.
Even the persistent rain and gloomy weather in Gqeberha at the weekend did not deter Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, who picked up another set of maximum points to maintain their grip at the top of the Super Era Stream. Banyana Ba Style thrashed Richmond Ladies 8 – 0 on Sunday.
With their 10th win on the trot, Sundowns opened an 11-point gap over second-placed University of Pretoria (Tuks), who edged their direct rivals for second spot, the University of the Western Cape (UWC), 1 – 0 on Saturday. It is the second time this campaign that Sundowns have won by a big margin in the Super Era Stream, following their 6 – 0 demolition of Diepkloof Ladies at the start of the season in May.
While Sundowns are running their own race, the battle for second spot continues between distant chasers Tuks and UWC. The two are tied on 19 points, but Tuks have the edge by virtue of a better goal difference.
The defeat on Saturday ended UWC’s four-match winning run since the resumption of the campaign in August. Tuks goalscorer, Siyamthanda Qashani is now leading the scoring charts with eight goals.
Tuks head coach, Sibusiso Themba said afterwards: “I said it before that we don’t compete with Sundowns – they are on another level.
“So, our people are here (below Sundowns). When you play against your level, it’s going to be pound for pound – ups and downs. It depends on who’s got the legs.”
In the Super Rise Stream, leaders JVW FC remain at the top of the log despite a 1 – 1 draw against Ezemvelo, who equalised in injury time. The Blue Diamonds, as JVW are affectionately known, are also unbeaten in 10 matches.
Behind them are the University of Fort Hare (UFH), who beat Ramatlaohle Ladies 1 – 0 on Saturday. With this win, UFH kept up the pressure on JVW, narrowing the gap at the top to three points.
Ramatlaohle are still chasing an elusive win, having collected just two points from their last two outings, putting their bid for a top-four finish at risk. Stellenbosch Ladies Finally Pick Up First Point Of The Campaign
Astrid Boks struck twice for Stellenbosch Ladies when they registered their first point of the campaign in 10 matches with a 2 – 2 draw against Copperbelt Ladies on the opening day of the festival on Friday. The stalemate also ended Stellies’ scoring drought, with their previous goal coming in June – interestingly, against Copperbelt in their 2 – 1 defeat in the first-round meeting.
For Copperbelt, the result halted a run of two consecutive defeats.
Affected Fixtures
Meanwhile, two fixtures were called off after teams either failed to show up or encountered logistical challenges.
On Friday, TS Galaxy Queens forfeited their match for failing to honour their fixture against Diepkloof Ladies.
According to the rules, Diepkloof Ladies have been awarded the three points and two goals.
Galaxy, on the other hand, are set to face the SAFA Disciplinary Committee.
The game between the University of Johannesburg and Tshwane University of Technology was postponed due to travel-related logistical challenges.
SAFA will confirm the rescheduling of the fixture.
Full Results
Friday, 02 October 2026
TS Galaxy Queens vs Diepkloof Ladies (Diepkloof Ladies win with walkover)
Copperbelt Ladies 2 – 2 Stellenbosch Ladies
Saturday, 03 October 2026
University of the Western Cape 0 – 1 University of Pretoria
Ezemvelo Women’s FC 1 – 1 JVW FC
University of Fort Hare 1 – 0 Ramatlaohle Ladies
Sunday, 04 October 2026
Mamelodi Sundowns 8 – 0 Richmond Ladies
First Touch 1 – 2 City Lads
University of Johannesburg vs Tshwane University of Technology
(Postponed)
