Round 6 of the Varsity Football 2024 tournament lived up to high expectations as teams jostled for top 4 spots as we enter the business end of the competition. UFS defeated UWC in Cape Town to climb to the top of the summit while TUT finally came to the party with their first win of the campaign over CUT. The match between DUT and UP Tuks was postponed due to a power outage in large parts of Pretoria and has been rescheduled for Friday morning. Here’ how the games played out in the matchday wrap.
TUT 2-1 CUT
The defending champions, TUT, finally have the monkey off their backs by claiming a first win of the 2024 Varsity Football campaign. On Thursday night the Red Army beat the CUT 2-1 at the CUT Stadium in Bloemfontein to break their duck.
TUT, who were playing at home, away from home, scored on either side of half-time as they retained their unbeaten record against the Free State outfit, who in turn are still without a victory.
The four-time champions were by far the better team in moving the ball forward against the highly inexperienced team from Bloemfontein. In addition, CUT, were not doing themselves any favours in their distribution game that seemed stagnant at stages. This allowed TUT to be a lot more dangerous on the attack and they were more successful in entering the box.
The breakthrough game in the 17th minute of the match when Lesedi Nkosi pounced on a fumble by the CUT goalkeeper, Mosiuoa Pejane, but that said he had no support from the defenders who were ball-watching more than anything else. Towards the latter stages in the first half CUT pressed a bit better and gave themselves more quality ball going forward, but the score remained 1-0 in favour of TUT at the break.
In the second half, CUT showed a lot more intent with the ball, but unfortunately for them so did their opponents. TUT started playing with a lot more swagger, something that had been missing all season. While TUT never looked like relinquishing the lead, a 66th minute goal from a header by Swazi Kupa sealed the deal. CUT was however not done yet and for their hard work they were rewarded with a consolation goal by Pule Thekiso three minutes into stoppage time.
Next week, CUT will face UFS in a Bloemfontein derby to sign off their campaign, while TUT are away to UP-Tuks in what will be a thrilling Tshwane derby.
Scorers:
TUT: Lesedi Nkosi, Swazi Kupa.
CUT: Pule Thekiso
FNB Player of the Match: Nare Mojapelo (TUT)
TUT: Gomotsegang Nkuna, Precious Mohale, Andile Malaka, Mnqobi Khumalo, Nqubeko Ntimbane, Thuso Mlamla ©, Anda Yamile, Katlego Motlhale, Nare Mojapelo, Vuyani Ngubane, Lesedi Khosi.
CUT: Mosiuoa Pejane, Mpho Alex Ngcobo, Jeffrey Mokoena, Moeletsi Khumalo, Alwande Sibiya, Simo Ndlovu, Tiisetso Mpholoana, Mzwakhe Shabalala, Oratile Mothibedi, Pogisho Dikole, Itumeleng Masisi.
UWC 0-2 UFS
At the cold UWC Stadium in Bellville, both teams set up an early pace in the first 10 minutes of the game as the home side was the better team who looked promising after a few chances in the visitors' box with the score remained nil nil.
The visitors have adapted quickly to the cold of the venue, and they managed to put pressure on UWC defense with no success. Captain Boy Rantsoti had a clear scoring chance, but his shot went over the crossbar after 20 minutes.
The captain, Rantsoti broke the deadlock after a ball came from his goal kick as UWC failed to clear to take a 1-0 lead.
It didn’t take long for UFS to extend the lead, courtesy of a powerful diving header from Eagan Vollehoven to put the Free State side 2-0 after 40 minutes.
The game went to the interval with UFS leading 2-0.
The second half of the game didn’t produce any good results for the home side as they tried to penetrate the UFS defence with no success.
UFS managed to defend their lead until the last minute of the game as they walked away with all the points in Cape Town.
Scorers: Boy Rantsoti, Eagan Vollenhoven (UFS)
FNB Player of the Match: Sandile Mhlanga (UFS)
UWC: Leathan Croats, Shuaib Martin, Ranieri Salvini, Asibonge Maphumulo, Leandro De Sousa, Damian Overmeyer ©, Zamian Plaatjies, Relebohile Matima, Vuyani Ncontsa, Imaan January, Khanya Dyani.
UFS: Arlonso Diedricks, Boy Rantsoti © , Iviwe Dyabuza, Jarome Jansen, Obakeng Seekoei, Eagan Vollenhoven, Samkelo Nakedi, Sandile Mhlanga, Thandolwethu Khoza, Moeti Mofokeng, Tisetso Daniel Seodinyane.
VUT 1-1 NWU
NWU faced off against VUT in a thrilling encounter that ended in a 1-1 draw. The game kicked off with both teams showing early promise but struggled to break the deadlock in the opening minutes.
The breakthrough came for NWU when Ranonyane Mmutlane, capitalized on a swift counterattack. A well-timed through ball allowed Mmutlane to slip behind the VUT defense and tap the ball into the net, putting NWU ahead 1-0.
VUT, however, was quick to respond, in the 45th minute, just before the halftime whistle, Perseverance Mashabane, rose above the NWU defense to head home from a corner, leveling the score at 1-1. Both teams went into the break with everything to play for after an end-to-end first half that saw chances at both ends.
The second half continued with the same intensity as the first, with both teams pushing for a winner. Fifteen minutes into the second half, the score remained locked at 1-1, as both defenses held firm against repeated attacks. As the game progressed, neither team could find the decisive goal. Despite several close calls and relentless pressure, the score remained unchanged as the referee blew his final whistle.
Scorers
FNB Player of the Match: Siyabonga Nombewu (VUT).
VUT: Perceverance Mashabane.
NWU: Ranonyane Mmutlane.
VUT: Tebogo Mosia, Gontse Kole, Lehlohonolo Ncambe, Perceverance Mashabane, Kgotso Nhlapo, Marumo Lekoloane, Siyabonga Nombewu, Lucky Raphala, Kgahlisho Kgomoeswana, Siyabonga Dean Shabangu, Sibusiso Baloyi.
NWU: Kamogelo Matane, Lucky Letwaba, Olebogeng Moeti ©, Sousa Mathe, Lucas Seromo, Lesego Motsepe, Ranonyane Mmutlane, Momelezi Mngati, Molemo Kukama, Pascual Tivane, Itumeleng Selemela.
DUT vs Tuks
Postponed due to widespread power outage in Pretoria.
Fixtures HERE
Tickets HERE
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