Fort Hare were all class in their historic march to the top of women’s football in the Eastern Cape this season.
They won 15 of 16 games and drew once to be crowned champions of the Sasol Women’s League’s coastal stream, qualifying for the prestigious playoffs for the first time.
If they come through that match against inland stream winners Executive Ladies on August 19, they will head for the national playoffs to vie for a spot in the top-flight Hollywoodbets Super League.
If everything goes according to plan, they will end up rubbing shoulders with football giants such as Mamelodi Sundowns, TS Galaxy and Royal AM.
Coach Asanda Mnakaniso likened his team’s performance this season to a “miracle”.
“I am extremely proud. It’s our first time winning the league and now we have the opportunity to represent the province at the nationals,” he said.
Women’s football was introduced at the university as recently as the mid-2000s and the road to the top has not been without its potholes and detours.
There have been years of bitter disappointment when things did not go as hoped, but the class of 2023 proved that the sport has finally come of age.

Cwayita Kaiyana, who captains Fort Hare in Varsity Football, has been a vital part of the team’s Sasol coastal stream success this year. Photo: Full Stop Communications
Fort Hare have transitioned into a very good side with few weaknesses.
“We now have three good goalkeepers, great defenders, everyone in the team [is talented],” Mnakaniso said.
“We use a lot of styles of play. We defend well and we use our midfielders. Sometimes we counter-attack because we have very good wingers.”
He doesn’t want the team to be pigeonholed in terms of their playing culture, preferring to “approach each game based on how opposition teams play”.
Behind the scenes the technical team and sports department were like on-field substitutes, adding value when most needed and therefore playing an important role in the development of the sport at Fort Hare, the coach added.
Management enthusiastically supports the football programme and training camps (three of which were held prior to the start of the season), and provide transport and catering where needed.
“It’s working wonderfully. Everyone in that department understands what we do,” he said.
It goes without saying that the players are on a high as the playoff against Ntabankulu’s Executive Ladies looms. However, the importance of the fixture is not lost on anyone.
The team’s preparation could not have worked out better as they will compete in the Varsity Football tournament in Pretoria ahead of the do-or-die encounter.
With South Africa’s best tertiary players on show, they will get plenty of game time against top-class opposition.
They have also secured several friendlies against Super League teams.
Last Saturday they played Gqeberha’s City Lads, which Mnakaniso said helped them understand what needed to be done at that level. Upon their return from the Highveld, they will take on Butterworth’s Thunderbirds.
From this moment on, it’s all about August 19 and their shot at destiny.