The round robin stages of Varsity Football 2024 are over and we enter the business end of the competition with the top four teams securing semi final spots as they aim for glory. UWC showed no mercy as they thrashed VUT in Cape Town, NWU were victorious over DUT to secure a home semi-final, UFS took the Bloem derby bragging rights while UP-Tuks claim top position on the log by defeating defending champions TUT in the Tshwane derby. Here's how it all happened.
NWU 3-0 DUT
NWU secured an emphatic 3-0 victory over DUT, putting on a dominant display from start to finish. The match kicked off with NWU immediately taking control of the game, setting the pace with strong attacking plays.
The first breakthrough came in the 17th minute when Pascual Tivane found the back of the net as he capitalized on a well-delivered pass from the flank, tapping the ball in from inside the box. His goal put NWU ahead 1-0 early in the game, giving them momentum and setting the tone for the rest of the half. Despite numerous chances created by NWU, including several dangerous attempts on goal, DUT's defense managed to hold firm, limiting the damage.
NWU dominated possession throughout the first half, but only Tivane's goal separated the two sides at halftime, with the score NWU 1-0 DUT.
The second half saw NWU continue their aggressive approach, and their efforts paid off once again. In the 54th minute, Reatlegile Kgosithebe rose above the DUT defense to head in a cross from the right flank. The perfectly timed cross was met with precision as Reatlegile’s header doubled NWU’s lead, making it 2-0. The goal reflected NWU’s persistence and ability to convert their dominance into tangible results on the scoreboard.
As the game progressed, NWU kept up the pressure, and in the 72nd minute Kgosithebe struck again. This time, a well-executed set piece led to the goal, a short corner was played to the left flank, and the ensuing cross found Reatlegile unmarked in the box. He expertly headed the ball into the net for his second goal of the game, extending NWU’s lead to 3-0.
Despite DUT's attempts to claw back into the game, NWU maintained control until the final whistle.
Scorers: Pascual Tivane, Reatlegile Kgosithebe X2 (NWU)
FNB Player of the Match: Reatlegile Kgosithebe (NWU)
NWU: Ethan Mokwena, Olebogeng Moeti ©, Lucky Letwaba, Lucas Seromo, Sousa Mathe, Lesego Motsepe, Siphesihle Sibusiso Mahlangu, Xolani Masethi, Reatlegile Kgosithebe, Ranonyane Mmutlane, Pascual Tivane.
DUT: Philasande Mthembu, Xolani Mkhonza ©, Manqoba Mlele, Nkululeko Nkosi, Lindelwa Dlamini, Awande Ngidi, Lusiba Dlamini, Amahle Mkhize, Sboniso Bill Sithole, Mlamuli Hlongwa, Samkelo Gwala.
UWC 5-0 VUT
After a routing of VUT and a clear win with five goals to nil, the UWC side should now be considered a real contender for the Varsity Football title. On Thursday evening at the University of the Western Cape Stadium, UWC scored three early goals including one by captain Damian Overmeyer with a stunning free kick.
The goal was quickly followed by Asibonge Maphumulo who towered over the VUT defence to score with a blistering header followed by the UWC all time scorer Leandro De Sousa who chipped the ball over VUT keeper Tebogo Mosia leaving him helpless.
Still VUT showed resilience with sleek football passes in the middle of the park mastered by Lucky Raphala, Lehlohonolo Ncambe and Marumo Lekoloane. In a bid to close the gap, the MaVUTi threw caution into the wind and came running at UWC in the second stanza leaving them wide open at the back.
Having already dispatched the Vaal side, UWC added two more goals and played for the crowd, toying with their Vaal opponents.
UWC will face Tuks away in the semi-final on 12 September.
Scorers: Damian Overmeyer, Malinga Mdodana, Leandro De Sousa, Asibonge Maphumulo, Jadan Zeeman (UWC).
FNB Player of the Match: Vuyani Ncontsa (UWC).
UWC: Leathan Croats, Leandro De Sousa, Vuyani Ncontsa, Asibonge Maphumulo, Shuaib Martin, Damian Overmeyer (c), Imaan January, Khanya Dyani, Zamian Plaatjies, Malinga Mdodana, Relebohile Matima.
VUT: Tebogo Mosia, Kamohelo Ramalefane, Gontse Kole, Perceverance Mashabane, Kgotso Nhlapo ©, Lehlohonolo Ncambe, Marumo Lekoloane, Lucky Raphala, Kgahlisho Kgomoeswana, Siyabonga Dean Shabangu, Sibusiso Baloyi.
CUT 0-1 UFS
UFS claimed more than just the bragging rights on Thursday night during a thrilling Mangaung derby against the CUT at CUT Park. The Blues beat their city rivals 1-0, and this was good enough to ensure that they get to fight another in the 2024 edition of Varsity Football, by advancing to the semi-finals.
Unfortunately for UFS, it just wasn’t enough to book a home semi-finals, and they needed to beat a determined CUT by three or more unanswered goals, but the first prize remains reaching the last four.
UFS started the derby like a house of fire and they just looked like a team that gained a lot of confidence from their outstanding win a week prior in Cape Town. They attacked from the first minute and they were finding a lot of good space, with their runners opting to take a direct route.
The deadlock was broken in the 11th minute of the match when they were awarded a free kick following a reckless two-footed challenge. The delivery of the free kick was spot-on and drove a powerful header into the back of the net for the score.
CUT looked really good when they had the odd opportunity to attack, but with their inexperience the patience lacked. UFS had a few more chances to score, and maybe it was the excitement and the moment that got the better in the moment. The score remained unchanged at the break.
In the second half CUT came up with more purpose and they succeeded in cutting out UFS’ opportunities to score, while they also created one or two heart-pounding moments. UFS did however have a 75th minute goal disallowed for off-side, but it was truly a debatable call by the linesman.
Scorers: Obakeng Seekoei (UFS).
FNB Player of the Match: Moeti Mofokeng (UWC).
CUT: Mosiuoa Pejane, Ramokhafeng Montsi, Jeffrey Mokoena, Moeletsi Khumalo, Alwande Sibiya, Tiisetso Mpholoana, Mzwakhe Shabalala 2, Pogisho Dikole, Lehakwe Phumo, Lehlohonolo Nkaekae, Itumeleng Masisi.
UFS: Ben Kraai, Lesego Mafikeng, Samkelo Nakedi, Thandolwethu Khoza, Iviwe Dyabuza, Moeti Mofokeng, Arlonso Diedricks, Sandile Mhlanga, Boy Rantsoti, Obakeng Seekoei, Tisetso Daniel Seodinyane.
UP-Tuks 1-0 TUT
Varsity Football giants UP-Tuks and TUT collided in a packed Tuks Stadium with both teams in need of victory.
The first 10 minutes was a slow start for both sides with no real threats. Tuks looked electric and dangerous on aerial balls with Matome Rangata causing troubles on the flanks interchanging with Samukelo Ngodela. The Stripe Generation looked dangerous on set pieces and wing play.
Finally Tuks broke the deadlock through a pinpoint free kick by Camagu Mdevulana landing in Samukelo Ngodela’s who guided the ball in the far top corner. It was an end to end action with both sides attacking relentlessly. Tuks came close to doubling their lead in the 18th minute.
Trusted goal poacher on the day Quintin Stokes-Waller fed a through ball and saw his efforts denied by the TUT shot-stopper Luyanda Mandindi. Stokes-Waller again received a cut-back cross and put his shot wide.
It wasn’t to be for the Pretoria West side in the first half as they looked dangerous on the counter attack. Nare Mojapelo came close to leveling matters with a hot shot inside the box blocked by Koketso Mokou.
Tebatso Manyane and Mojapelo combined well with Thuso Mlamla orchestrating the midfield as they kept pressing Tuks but their efforts saw no results as Tuks took a slender 1-0 lead at the interval.
Bushy Moloi’s troops returned from the tunnel looking for an equalizer and derby bragging rights.
Giving Tuks no chances, TUT kept attacking but not converting their chances. Captain Thuso Mlamla saw his last minute shot hitting the post. But in the end, Tuks came out victorious in the derby.
Scorers: Samukelo Ngodela (Tuks).
FNB Player of the Match: Nkosana Shabalala (Tuks).
UP-Tuks: Koketso Mokou, Atlegang Masemola, Nkosana Shabalala, Edward Rankwe, Tshepiso Mahlangu, Tshiamo Mokoena ©, Camagu Mdevulana, Matome Rangata, Raymond Tshwane Matlamela, Samukelo Ngodela, Quintin Stokes-Waller.
TUT: Luyanda Mandindi, Nqubeko Ntimbane, Katlego Motlhale, Andile Malaka, Precious Mohale, Anda Yamile, Thuso Mlamla ©, Keletso Tseka, Nare Mojapelo, Lesedi Khosi, Tebatso Manyane.
Semi-final fixtures HERE
Tickets HERE
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