A clinical finish from Lindelwa Mabuza was enough to send the University of Johannesburg (UJ) senior women’s football team into the Varsity Football 2026 final, after defeating defending champions the University of the Western Cape (UWC) 1–0 at Wits Stadium on August 10.

With a place in the final at stake, both teams produced a high-intensity contest from the opening whistle. UJ controlled possession for much of the first half, pressing UWC deep into their own territory, while the visitors remained dangerous on the counterattack without seriously testing UJ goalkeeper Matshidiso Masebe.

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Despite dominating large periods of the match, UJ struggled to convert their chances until the 67th minute. Mabuza combined well with Sbongakonke Mzobe before lifting the ball over the goalkeeper to score what proved to be the decisive goal and send the Orange Army into the championship match.

The victory followed UJ’s dramatic 1–1 draw against the University of Limpopo in their final round-robin fixture, where Sthembile Msomi gave the Orange Army the lead before Welcome Maphanga equalised late in the match.

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UJ will now face rivals the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) in the Varsity Football final on August 19, at UJ Soweto Stadium, where the Orange Army will be aiming to lift the 2026 title.

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