TheSportsCampus

Defending champions Palace Super Falcons retained their Sasol League National Championships title in fine style whey they defeated Cape Town Roses by five goals to two (5-2) in the final played at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi near Durban on Sunday, 1 July 2012.

Falcons also pocketed fifty-thousand rand (R50 000) for lifting the trophy which they keep as they have now won the tournament three times in a row. This is the first time prize-money was handed out in the championships which have been running for four years.

Banyana Banyana star Portia Modise of Falcons, who was instrumental in the victory, was selected as the Diski Queen of the Match after scoring three a hat-trick.

"The fact that Palace Super Falcons played and lost the 2009 final to Detroit Ladies on penalties, and then won the title in 2010, 2011 and now 2012, is purely statistical. We have a very experienced squad that includes current and former Banyana Banyana players, but the level of play at the Sasol League National Championships is forever on the increase and the challenge gets tougher each year. Sasol and SAFA need to be commended for the platforms that they have created for the upliftment of women's football over the past four years," said Modise.

"The R50 000 prize money for the winning team is another example of progress. It's the first time that the tournament has had prize money which is another positive step for women's football."

Former national team player Martha Makoma and Shirley Ruene joined Modise's triple strike on the score-sheet, but while Palace Super Falcons were the superior side throughout the match with another former Banyana Banyana player, Chantel Esau superb on the right side of attach, Cape Town Roses presented a tougher challenge than the scoreline suggests.

"This is the greatest day in women's football. We did not expect this cheque as we have been playing in this tournament and not getting anything. We would like to thank SAFA and Sasol for this fine gesture which we believe will inspire all the teams to work harder in next year's tournament, and will also go a long in assisting the team," said Bob Maredi, Team Manager of Palace Super Falcons.

With Banyana Banyana midfielders Leandra Smeda and Nocawe Skiti, both from Cape Town Roses, working hard to launch attacks on the Gauteng-based side's goal area, the team from Gugulethu can be pleased at having reached their first Sasol League National Championship final, taking home R35 000.

Hosts Durban Ladies collected R25 000 for ending third in the tournament after they outplayed Bloemfontein Celtics 5-2. The Free State side took home R20 000.