VUT could not turn their possession dominance into goals as they played out a goalless draw with NMMU-Madibaz in Vanderbijlpark on Monday.
NMMU lost Mothlabi Karabo early on in the half through injury and had to be replaced by Achuma Klaas. VUT also struggled with injury in the opening ten minutes with both Kelvin Nkone and Eddie Kwalene needing treatment on the field.
Both teams had and equal share of possession in that opening period with the team from Port Elizabeth starting to control the game more when they had the ball. Despite NMMU looking the stronger, it was VUT who had the first real chance on goal after a corner.
The home side then gained some ascendancy with the 30 minute mark approaching and nearly got the first goal with a shot testing the NMMU goalkeeper.
Scoring chances soon became limited as the half drew to a close and by the time both teams made it to the shed at the break, the score remained 0-0.
The home team started to feel more comfortable with the ball in the opening stages of the second half where they continued to dominate play, putting the Madibaz under constant pressure.
Despite VUT’s dominance it was NMMU who nearly to the lead when Cloudius Sagadira’s strike hit the crossbar with less than 30 minutes left to play in the game.
Sagadira’s partner in crime Kieran Koert then had to be taken off the field due to injury – he was replaced by Simamkele Thobi in the closing stages of the game, which meant a rethink for Graeme Harrison’s team.
However, both teams were unable to find a winner in the final ten minutes and had to settle for a draw in their opening game of 2015.
Samsung Super Striker: Cloudius Sagandira
FNB Man of the Match: Malesela Chokoe
Goalscorers:
For VUT: None
For NMMU Madibaz: None
Teams:
NMMU-Madibaz: 1 Matthew Booysen, 2 Onela Beqezi, 3 Lonwabo Balfour, 16 Lundi Balfour, 5 Bisha Athini, 15 Litha Fingo, 20 Sali Zusakhe, 13 Mothlabi Karabo, 7 Jackson Sachin, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 11 Kieran Koert.
Substitutes: 25 Xola Fipaza, 26 Onke Matomela, 4 Diego Van Rooyen, 17 Achuma Klaas, 8 Fuzo Zantsi, 18 Simamkele Thobi, 12 Lusapho Mlangane.
VUT: 25 Eddie Kwalane, 4 Mzwakhe Tshabalala, 2 Tankiso Petsane, 13 Malesela Chokoe, 14 Gomolemo Jiyane, 15 Lehlohonolo Makara, 10 Neo Mamatela, 12 Jabulani Nkomo, 9 Kelvin Nkone, 20 Phure Chochi, 11 Katlego Mohlala.
Substitutes: 24 Nicholas Masuku, 22 Isaac Malakwane, 8 Tebogo Mollo, 21 Thabang Tsolo, 17 Tomo Mafukama, 7 Thabiso Moshoaliba, 3 Mofenyi Mabote.
