Round 4 of the 2023 Men’s Varsity Football competition delivered a handful of surprising results, most notably a defeat for defending champions TUT at the hands of UWC. There were also victories for UJ, who move to the top of the log, an epic away win for VUT while NWU snatch victory at the death.
UWC 2 TUT 0
UWC put up a clinical performance in defeating defending champions TUT 2-0 at the UWC Sports Stadium.
Both sides were still tasting the cold windy weather after 10 minutes, but TUT came close to breaking the deadlock following a long-range kick from Freddy Mahloana. However, UWC shot-stopper Leathan Croats was wide awake with a save to give the visitors the first corner kick of the game.
Lwando Mdleleni’s charges applied the pressure on the TUT half as they managed to force the visitors to commit a foul 25 metres from the poles. A free kick from captain Craig Joemath went wide.
At the end of the first stanza, UWC showed a few moves as they tried to find the back of the net. The score however remained at nil-all at half-time.
The second half started with a bang as the home side took an early lead through Siyabulela Mcimeli when he broke the deadlock.
UWC kept knocking at TUT’s territory and eventually, they extended the lead to make it 2-0 courtesy of midfielder Damian Overmeyer at 71 minutes.
The hosts managed to hold onto the lead as they walked away with maximum points in a rainy and cold Bellville.
Scorers: UWC - Siyabulela Mcimeli, Damian Overmeyer.
Player of the match: Leathan Croats (UWC).
UWC: Leathan Croats, Siyabulela Mcimeli, Damian Overmeyer, Craig Joemath, Jadan Zeeman, Riyaaz Koopstadt, Shuaib Martin, Khanya Alex Dyani, Relebohile Matima, Lutando Mpokotya, Leandro De Sousa.
TUT: Luyanda Madindi, Alan Moja, Mekdiwe Bongani Ncenya, Tebogo Lekaba, Ndumiso Kubheka, Thuso Mlamla, Freddy Mahloana, Hendrick Mncedisi Xaba, Tshiamo Mahome, Ronald Mabaso, Tiego Mathebe.
UJ 3 UFH 1
The UJ side welcomed UFH at a cool UJ Soweto Stadium and promptly handed them a 3-1 defeat.
The game started off slowly in the first 30 minutes. That was until the visiting UFH struck first from a silly mistake by UJ defender Thabiso Mathambeka who played a pass back to the goalkeeper. It was easily snatched by Sinobom Kapase who dribbled passed the last man to score the opening goal.
The Orange Army grabbed the equalizing goal through Siphosihle Nkambule who went on to score his first brace of the 2023 Varsity Football season.
The momentum was set after UJ took the lead and they dominated the game for the majority of the second half. The introduction of forward Mongezi Mncube wrapped up the game as he scored UJ’s third goal from the bench to secure the home side a second straight win.
Although UFH were able to create a few chances in the last minutes of the game, they couldn’t convert them into goals.
Scorers: UJ – Siphosihle Nkambule (2), Mongezi Mncube.
UFH – Sinobom Kapase.
Player of the match: Maselesele Makoti (UJ).
UJ: Lona Richard Banga, Maselesele Makoti, Thabiso Mathambeka , Thabo Moshikere, Advocate Mokwena, Tumelo Molubi, Karabo Modisane, Sanele Ndlalane, Philane Masondo, Ntokozo Mathobela, Siphosihle Nkambule.
UFH: Nkosiyethu Ngobe, Someleze Kapteni, Bonke Nxiwa, Mbeko Bungane, Athenkosi Masiza, Athenkosi Dobe, Bubele Gcuku, Snethemba Sibeko, Thabani Mqambeli, Sinobom Kapase , Oko Filtane.
NWU 2 CUT 1
NWU scored a hard-fought 2-1 victory over CUT in the dying minutes of the game at the
NWU Mafikeng Stadium. It was a header by Kgopotso Moshapo in the 95th minute that sealed the deal.
NWU exhibited early dominance, particularly in the initial 25 minutes. This pressure led to defensive lapses from CUT, creating opportunities for NWU to exploit. One such opportunity arose in the 25th minute when a misstep allowed Aphelele Sibisi to adeptly manoeuvre the ball past the opposing goalkeeper, earning NWU their opening goal.
Swiftly responding to NWU's success, CUT found its own breakthrough merely two minutes later. Lehlohonolo Nkaekae took a corner kick with precision, converting it into a goal in the 27th minute of the first half.
As the first half approached its conclusion, the scoreboard reflected the intensity of the battle, balanced at 1-1.
The second half unfolded with NWU maintaining their offensive momentum, persistently launching attacks in pursuit of a decisive advantage. However, NWU's efforts were thwarted by struggles in their finishing, preventing them from converting their opportunities into goals.
Ultimately, NWU's determination bore fruit. A pivotal moment arrived when a well-executed corner kick culminated in Moshapo's commanding header, handing his team an important victory.
Scorers: NWU – Aphelele Sibisi, Kgopotso Moshapo.
CUT – Lehlohonolo Nkaekae.
Player of the match: Pascual Tivane (NWU)
NWU: Kamogelo Matane, Aphelele Sibisi, Heaven Sereetsi, Kananelo Motsoeneng, Khopotso Moshapo, Reatlegile Kgosithebe, Thabang Majoro, Lesiba Mahlong, Lesego Motsepe, Lucas Seromo, Pascual Tivane.
CUT: Motlalentwa Jacob Mbolekwa, Lefa Matlase, Simo Ndlovu, Khotso Mphene, Tumelo Mothabeng, Oratile Mothibedi, Lehlohonolo Nkaekae, Mpho Bartman, Malefetsane Matale, Pule Macdonald Thekiso, Mbongiseni Ngwenya.
VUT 2 UFS 0
VUT recorded their second win by stunning UFS with a 2-0 win at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.
The visitors from the Vaal started the match like a house on fire when they caught Kovsies napping to score a goal just 20 seconds into the game. Ntokozo Mgidi collected a neat pass to drill the ball into the back of the net.
Right on the stroke of halftime, it was almost a matter of the déjà vu with Mgidi finding himself on the receiving end of another good cross to double the lead and record his brace.
UFS came out in the second half with a lot more urgency and they managed to put themselves into good positions on the park and asked some serious questions of the VUT defence. The chances were there and the chances were fluffed. Reatlehile Meya came agonisingly close to scoring for the hosts, but unfortunately for him and his team he hit the woodwork.
With minutes to play Mgidi was denied a hat-trick of goals when his strike hit the woodwork, but the score remained unchanged.
Scorers: VUT – Ntokozo Mgidi (2).
Player of the match: Ntokozo Mgidi.
VUT: Thabiso Simon Moeketsi, Kgotso Nhlapo, Perceverance Mashabane, Medupi Thokolo, Simamkele Masiza, Sizwe Sibeko, Siyabonga Nombewu, Kgahlisho Kgomoeswana, Thabiso Singo, Lucky Raphala, Ntokozo Mgidi.
UFS: Tisetso Seodinyane, Iviwe Dyabuza, Obakeng Seekoei, Aphiwe Zulu, Thandolwethu Khoza, Lizwi Kunene, Jarome Jansen, Reatlehile Meya, Arlonso Diedricks, Jermein Marou, Boy Rantsoti.
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