SuperSport United have confirmed their official partnership with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) Ladies ahead of the 2023/24 season.
SuperSport have been in talks with TUT Ladies for several months now after it had been clear they were heading to the CAF Confederation Cup after finishing in the top three for the first time in over a decade.
Part of the requirements of entering CAF inter-club competitions is having a women’s team or an official partnership with one – where they support and help the growth of the women’s game in the country.
On Tuesday afternoon, SSU confirmed the deal with the Hollywood Bets Super League outfit.
“SuperSport United is pleased to announce the exciting partnership with Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in the birth of the ladies’ team called TUT Matsatsantsa Ladies FC,” the club said via statement.
“This historic merger comes after SuperSport United and TUT have partnered for the club to play all the 2023/24 first team and DStv Diski Challenge (DDC) matches at the University.
“The team, affectionately known as #RedArmy was founded in 2009 as the high-performance ladies’ team for TUT.
“TUT Ladies FC currently plays in the SAFA National Women’s League: Hollywoodbets Super League to which they finished position two since its inception in 2019/2020 season and 2021, Varsity Football competition to which they are six times consecutive champions from 2014-2019 and USSA National Institutional Championships.”
SSU CEO Stan Matthews said he was excited about the new partnership, as Matsatsantsa have already an exciting history with TUT. “SuperSport United has a history with TUT that goes back 25 years when TUT was our first team training ground,” he stated.
“We have former TUT Students who joined our organization on internships and have made an impact on the sporting landscape and last season we started to play PSL matches at the TUT Stadium.
“With this solid foundation we are proud to partner with TUT in our maiden voyage into Women’s Football with the launch of our partnership of the TUT Matsatsantsa Women’s Team.”
Tshwane University of Technology’s Executive Director for SAED, Dr Shadrack Nthangeni added: “Through this partnership, we will realise our strategic goal of producing future-ready graduates, performing brilliantly in both sport and academics. We also wish to highlight the important role of Women’s football, not just locally but globally. Football is a powerful means of enabling women to fulfil their potential both in sport and in society and we are here for that – to be part of this significant occasion.”
Sekhukhune United, as reported by this publication last month, agreed a deal with North-West University (NWU) while Orlando Pirates are expected to team up with the University of Johannesburg (UJ) who ply their trade in the top-flight.
