6th November 2024
SABC Sport has learnt that TS Galaxy Queens arrived in Cape Town for their rescheduled match against the University of the Western Cape (UWC) on Tuesday, but the game did go ahead as the hosts were packing their bags heading to the airport en route to Morocco for the 2024 CAF Women’s Champions League.
The public broadcaster understands that the match commissioner and the match officials were present at the stadium ahead of the expected 3pm kickoff, but there was a no show from UWC, who flew out of the country on Tuesday evening.
The initial fixture was set to be played on 20 July this year, but the visiting Rockets failed to arrive on time, citing delayed flights, and the game was abandoned.
Subsequently, a disciplinary hearing was held where TS Galaxy Queens pleaded guilty and were fined.
In addition, the DC seating ordered the game to be replayed.
Correspondence between UWC and the South African Football Association (SAFA) seen by SABC Sport show that the Capetonians wrote a letter to the FA on 29 October outlining that they will not be able to honour the fixture against TS Galaxy Queens as they were scheduled to travel to North Africa on the requested day of the match.
The FA requested that UWC furnish them with a new date, but the latter stated that due to their upcoming hectic schedule they were unable to confirm a day – and that is when the SAFA Competitions Department set 5 November as match day – two days after UWC played JVW.
The outcome of the drama between TS Galaxy Queens and UWC has a strong bearing on the league positions.
While the Capetonians are guaranteed a second-place finish in the league, TS Galaxy Queens are still in a battle for third spot with the University of Johannesburg.
The students are on 62 points with one match remaining and can finish on 65 while the Rockets are on 59 points with two games remaining (including UWC) and can also finish on 65.
UJ Ladies currently have a better goal difference of two goals.
After their clash with JVW this past weekend, UWC is left with three games to conclude the league season – TS Galaxy Queens, University of Fort Hare and Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies, while TS Galaxy has UWC and Richmond United.
In addition, UWC has several players in the Banyana Banyana squad who could be travelling to Jamaica later this month after the CAF Women’s Champions League.
The international week is set between 25 November and 2 December.
Upon their return, the students will be heading to Kimberly for the USSA games from 2-6 December.
It is still not clear if the UWC will still be able to play the remaining league matches.
The final day of the league, according to the official fixtures, was scheduled as 8 December – two days after the end of the USSA Games - between reigning league champions Sundowns Ladies and UWC.
The SAFA Competitions committee was not available for comment at the time of going to print.