It was goals galore in the Varsity Men’s Football round 4 as VUT moved to second place of the log standings with 4-1 win over DUT, UWC bagged a second victory at home with a 4-1 victory over CUT. The night also saw impressive wins from log leaders UP-Tuks and NWU handed defending champs TUT another defeat at home in Mahikeng.
VUT 4-1 DUT
Within 5 minutes of play, it was VUT who drew first blood to make it 1-0 after a great long ball where Thabiso Singo bullied the DUT defender off the ball and banged it into the roof of the net for the opening goal.
The match went to the interval with the Vaal side taking a slender 1-0 lead. The first half saw an end-to-end battle between the MaVUTi and DUT as it was Singo's early goal that separated the two during the half time break.
As the second half kicked off, VUT picked up where they left off in the first half of the game, MaVUTi were awarded a penalty after a player foul in the box and the referee pointed to the spot. Kgotso Nhlapo didn't waste any time as he stepped up and hit it hard to make it 2-0 after 55 minutes.
DUT responded after 84 minutes as Nhlakanipho Ngwenya scored a great goal from out wide, pulling one back for the Durban side to make it 2-1. It didn't take long for VUT to extend their lead to 3-1, after a poor back pass which DUT failed to clear, Kgahlisho Kgomoeswana pounced for the third goal.
DUT wrapped matters up during added time with a 4-1 victory as striker Kgomoeswana got his brace with some silky skills in the box to beat several defenders.
Scorers:
VUT: Thabiso Singo, Kgotso Nhlapo, Kgahlisho Kgomoeswana (X2).
DUT: Nhlakanipho Ngwenya
FNB Player of the Match: Lehlohonolo Ncambe (VUT).
VUT: Tebogo Mosia, Lehlohonolo Ncambe, Perceverance Mashabane, Kgotso Nhlapo, Gontse Kole, Marumo Lekoloane, Siyabonga Nombewu, Lucky Raphala, Sibusiso Motsepa, Kgahlisho Kgomoeswana, Sibusiso Baloyi.
VUT: Xolani Mkhonza, Philasande Mthembu, Manqoba Shange, Manqoba Mlele, Chad Desplace, Khayelihle Ndlovu, Amahle Mkhize, Samkelo Gwala, Lindokuhle Mtshali, Likho James, Khulekani Nxumalo.
UWC 4-1 CUT
UWC’s victory at home to CUT in the Varsity Football match might guarantee a spot in the last four of the competition or even punching their ticket to the competition’s top sport. But that will be determined by other matches to follow. The Bellville-based team won their match against CUT by a convincing 4 - 1.
The away side drew the first blood but failed to protect their score. At the stroke of halftime, the home side took advantage when CUT failed to defend a cross from the right side allowing the home side to equalize. Buoyed by the home crowd, UWC quickly scored in the second stanza to make it a 2-1 lead.
As much as the visitors showed resilience and played good football, that did not yield any good results. They were punished again when they failed to clear a corner kick allowing UWC to add another goal. The away side tried to play but opened themselves when attacking. In the stroke of the 90 minutes the home team pounced on another cross to make it 4-1.
The home side finished strongly playing tik-a-taka football seeking another goal. In the four minutes referee’s option time, they nearly scored another one, but it was not to be. The jubilant Blue Army and the coaching staff jumped up and down when the ref blew his whistle. It was the end of CUT and UWC’s bad start to the competition.
Scorers:
UWC: Damian Overmeyer, Vuyani Ncontsa, Leandro De Sousa, Arnold Dube.
CUT: Lehakwe Phumo.
FNB Player of the Match: Relebohile Matima (UWC).
UWC: Leathan Croats, Asibonge Maphumulo, Zamian Plaatjies, Imaan January, Vuyani Ncontsa, Relebohile Matima, Damian Overmeyer ©, Khanya Dyani, Ranieri Salvini, Leandro De Sousa, Nkosingiphile Ncwane.
CUT: Kananelo Sehebeng, Siyabonga Mzelem, Jeffrey Mokoena, Simo Ndlovu, Alwande Sibiya, Tiisetso Mpholoana, Mzwakhe Shabalala, Lehlohonolo Nkaekae, Nkosingiphile Lubisi, Lehakwe Phumo, Oratile Mothibedi.
NWU 1-0 TUT
In a tightly contested match, NWU secured a narrow 1-0 victory over TUT. The game, which took place at NWU Mahikeng Stadium, was a tale of two halves, with NWU dominating the first half and TUT mounting a strong challenge in the second.
Both teams struggled to break the deadlock, with the scoreline remaining 0-0 after 30 minutes of play.
NWU controlled the tempo, creating a few chances but failed to capitalize on them. As the teams headed into halftime, the score remained goalless.
The breakthrough finally came in the 51 minutes when NWU’s Reatlegile Kgosithebe found the back of the net after a great set up by Momelezi Mngati, who beat the TUT defense on the right flank before delivering a precise cross into the box to make 1-0.
Despite being on the back foot for much of the first half, TUT came out stronger in the second half, creating multiple scoring opportunities. However, their efforts were in vain as they struggled to convert chances into goals. NWU held firm, maintaining their slender lead as they claimed a 1-0 victory.
Scorers: Reatlegile Kgosithebe (NWU)
FNB Player of the Match: Olebogeng Moeti (NWU).
NWU: Kamogelo Matane, Lucky Letwaba, Olebogeng Moeti ©, Sousa Mathe, Lucas Seromo, Thabang Majoro, Momelezi Mngati, Ranonyane Mmutlane, Reatlegile Kgosithebe, Pascual Tivane, Itumeleng Selemela.
TUT: Luyanda Mandindi, Precious Mohale, Mnqobi Khumalo, Andile Malaka, Nqubeko Ntimbane, Katlego Motlhale, Anda Yamile, Thuso Mlamla ©, Minenhle Khanyile, Nare Mojapelo, Oupa Mampuru.
UFS 1-2 UP-Tuks
UP-Tuks remained the team to beat in the 2024 edition of the Varsity Football following a 2-0 win against the UFS in Bloemfontein. Despite the scoreline, it wasn’t the easiest of wins, but more a case of using the chances on offer.
The top-of-the-table clash started at a high tempo by both teams as they tried to catch defence napping, but on both sides, they were well up to the task. UFS started to up the pace of the game about halfway through the first stanza and one sense that it was just a matter of whoever can master the finishing touches would open the score.
Tuks opened the scoring in the 37th minute when Ntokozo Madela found himself on the end of the cross following a freekick. He found the back of the net with a header to hand the three-time champions the lead. Mere minutes later the imposing figure of Quintin Stokes-Waller doubled the lead from a header as well, but this time it came from a corner kick to see the visitors lead 2-0 at the interval.
After a few stern words by the coach, Tebogo Motsamai, UFS creased the pace of their game and they desperately seemed to get on the board and give the home fans something to cheer about. However, the visitors managed this week and their goalkeeper, Jayden van der Walt, was solid between the posts, while he also organized the defence well.
The crack in the defence eventually came one minute into stoppage time when Obakeng Seekoei scored with a powerful header from a corner to get UFS on the board and give them the slightest of chances in forcing a draw. But it was too late as Tuks won 2-1 on the night.
Scorers:
UFS: Obakeng Seekoei
UP-Tuks: Ntokozo Madela, Quintin Stokes-Waller.
FNB Player of the Match: Ntokozo Madela (UP-Tuks).
UFS: Boy Rantsoti ©, José Mondi, Omphemetse Matlhogonolo Athibeng, Moeti Mofokeng, Arlonso Diedricks, Jarome Jansen, Thandolwethu Khoza, Iviwe Dyabuza, Obakeng Seekoei, Sandile Mhlanga, Tisetso Daniel Seodinyane.
UP-Tuks: Jayden Van Der Walt, Khotatso Balepile, Nkosana Shabalala, Edward Rankwe, Tshepiso Mahlangu ©, Paballo Mamabolo, Joshua Wood, Matome Rangata, Samukelo Ngodela, Ntokozo Madela, Quintin Stokes-Waller.
Fixtures HERE
Tickets HERE
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