Sport

Royal Wizards determined to retain their title as Sasol League National Champions

Lance Fredericks and Supplied|Published

Picture: Marcin from Pixabay

As the reigning champions, Northern Cape’s Royal Wizards are ready to defend their title in the highly anticipated 2024 Sasol League National Championships.

This year’s tournament will see nine provincial teams, each with something to prove, battling it out for the ultimate honour of being crowned national champions.

Among the teams competing are familiar challengers like Lindelani Ladies and the University of Fort Hare, who secured promotion from the competition last year. But for Royal Wizards, the focus is on continuing their dominance, as they represent the Northern Cape with pride.

Joining them in this fierce competition are teams like Ramatlaohle Ladies (Limpopo), Super Strikers (Mpumalanga), FC Raycon (Gauteng), Kovsies FC (Free State), North West University (North West), Sophakama (Eastern Cape), Ezemvelo (KwaZulu-Natal), and the University of Cape Town (Western Cape).

For Royal Wizards, the road to the National Championship was once again a testament to their strength and skill. NC Consciousness, the team’s provincial rivals, gave their best effort, but Wizards emerged victorious once more, solidifying their place among South Africa’s elite women’s teams.

Elsewhere, the competition was fierce.

UCT dominated in the Western Cape, finishing their stream undefeated and overcoming Magic Ladies to book their spot in the finals. Sophakama Ladies from the Eastern Cape also put on a commanding display, knocking out Executive Ladies to secure their place.

The story was similar in other provinces.

In the Free State, Kovsies triumphed over former finalists Ixias, while Super Strikers of Mpumalanga denied Sasol Juventus a chance to defend their 2023 title. Gauteng’s FC Raycon rose to the top, edging out Mito Stars. Meanwhile, North West University proved too strong for the determined Royal Queens, and in KwaZulu-Natal, after a tightly contested campaign, Ezemvelo Ladies outlasted Newcastle Chess.

The Northern Cap team’s journey may have had its challenges, but Royal Wizards are not strangers to pressure, and now set their sights on Knysna, where the National Championship will take place from October 15 to October 20.

The tournament is not just about retaining the title but also about gaining promotion to the Hollywoodbets Super League for the 2025 season, where only the top two teams from this tournament will advance.

Wizards are prepared to fill one of those spots, with Lindelani Ladies from KwaZulu-Natal and Thunderbirds Ladies from the Eastern Cape having been relegated.

Tuesday’s action kicks off with Group C as Sophakama Ladies face Ezemvelo Ladies at 9am at Loerie Park Stadium. The day continues with a Varsity Derby between Kovsies FC and NWU at noon, followed by a Group A showdown between Ramatlaohle Ladies and Super Strikers at 3.30pm.

The stage is set. As defending champions, Royal Wizards are ready to showcase their talent, uphold their legacy, and remind everyone why they wear the crown.

Let the games begin!

Catch the action:

Group Stages (15 – 17 October) – broadcast on Sasol and SAFA social and digital media platforms

Semi Final (18 October) – broadcast on SABC Sport Channel

Final (20 October) – broadcast on SABC 1

Related Topics:

soccersoccer