We are not nervous about our opening match – Ezemvelo Ladies

The Durban outfit will travel to Johannesburg for a date with the Blue Diamonds on Sunday, 2 March at the UJ Stadium in Soweto.

Kickoff is at 12pm.

“The ladies are ready more than ever, they are focused and prepared for the opening match against JVW.  We are not nervous at all, but the team is definitely showing respect to our opponents. They have a talented squad with many experienced players who have even played for Banyana Banyana,” said Ezemvelo Ladies Team Manager, Sinothile Shobede.

JVW, who finished fifth last season, will be welcoming a new coaching staff led by co-owner and former player at the club, Janine van Wyk with Alexia Cassar and Bafana Nhlapo as her assistants.

“We acknowledge the challenge that comes with facing a team of such a caliber but trust me we are confident in our own abilities and the work the team has put in during pre-season,” added Shobede.

New kids on the block, the University of Cape Town (UCT), will also face a baptism of fire when they visit the stubborn University of Johannesburg (UJ Ladies) in Soweto. The hosts claimed fourth spot in 2024.

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Reigning champions Mamelodi Sundowns Ladies begin their title defence against the embattled Royal AM Ladies at the Lucas Moripe Stadium on Saturday, 1 March.

It is still unclear if the match will go ahead as the men’s team of Royal AM has had their fixtures – both league and cup competition – suspended by the Premier Soccer League due to matters relating to the South African Revenue Service (SARS). There is no indication as to how much this will affect the women’s team. SABC Sport, has however, been reliably informed that the women’s team has lost the bulk of their players.

As for Sundowns Ladies, their coach Jerry Tshabalala has been placed on suspension by the club since December following allegations of sexual misconduct while the team is still investigating. There has been no word from the club on the matter, but the public broadcaster has learnt that former Bafana ba Style player, Godfrey Sapula, has been taking the players through the drills during pre-season training.

In other matches, a revamped University of Fort Hare – with completely new players and a new technical team - welcome TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies in Alice, Eastern Cape.

2024 league runners up, the University of the Western Cape (UWC) host Durban Ladies, with First Touch Ladies taking on Richmond United in Polokwane. TS Galaxy Queens will be away to City Lads Ladies in Gqeberha while the University of Pretoria will visit Copperbelt Ladies at the Seshego Stadium in Polokwane.