CUT vs UP-TUKS (Result: 3-2)
In a pulsating encounter, the Central University of Technology (CUT) all but booked a place in the last-four with a victory over University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks).
UP-Tuks started in the ascendency and came close to taking the lead after a series of corners. After an end-to-end period, a long ball from Bongani Matsemela found its way into the path of Orapeleng Manopole, who made no mistake to give CUT the lead in the 14th minute. UP-Tuks nearly hit back but Claudio de Almeida skied his free header. A good delivery from Sabelo Tsambo landed at Frank Mpedi’s feet, whose shot was deflected for a corner. The ensuing corner was successfully negotiated by CUT’s number one, Zolani Ligunya.
Midway through the first half, the visitors were awarded a free-kick just outside the box. Tiago Da Serra’s well-placed effort found its way into the net to level matters.
A spill by Ligunya nearly gifted UP-Tuks the lead, with the home crowd responding with calls for the keeper’s substitution. Tumelo Njoti came close to giving CUT the lead after Abrahm Singozo’s shot was saved. Manopole bagged his brace with a low shot with just over five minutes remaining.
In search of an equaliser, UP-Tuks exerted more pressure in the CUT half and were rewarded 21 minutes into the second half. Jurgen Booysen’s corner went straight in through Ligunya’s near post, much to the dismay of the home crowd.
Soon after coming on, Cameron Chweu sent the crowd into raptures with a close-range header to restore CUT’s lead. Frank Mpedi went into the referee’s book for simulation with five minutes remaining. Claudio de Almeida followed when he was dismissed for a second bookable offence. CUT held on to remain unbeaten and all but assure qualification for the semi-finals.
FNB Man of the Match: Orapeleng Manopole (CUT)
Scorers:
CUT: Orapeleng Manopole (2), Cameron Chweu
UP-Tuks: Tiago Da Serra
Cards:
Yellow: Nicholas Killas (Tuks), Frank Mpedi (Tuks)
Red: Claudio de Almeida (Tuks)
Teams:
CUT: Zolani Ligunya (GK); Morena Lehloa, Tshepo Tshikare, Bongani Matsemela, Sello Mokhele, Karabo Mojafi, Tumelo Njoti, Keitumetse Mabathoana, Abrahm Singozo, Orapeleng Manopolo, Katleho Motaung.
Subs: Mpho Motsoahole (GK), Pule Thaele, Rakgomo Taole, Vusi Vena, Katleho Molakeng, Neo Sebudi, Cameron Chweu.
UP-Tuks: Dylan Paterson (GK), Simbongile Njokwe, Nicholas Killas, Richard Moremi, Tiago Da Serra, Mbongeni Masilela, Claudio de Almeida, Mogau Khwinana, Sabelo Tsambo, Siphesihle Sosibo, Frank Mpedi.
Subs: Deodat Kritzinger (GK), Leonel de Mendonca, Simthembile Ndimande, Asande Mbanjwa, Jurgen Booysen, Clinton Mphahlele, Odwa Makha.
UWC vs UJ (Result: 1-0)
Varsity Football champions UWC registered their first win of the 2016 campaign when they beat UJ 1-0 at UWC Sports Stadium. The win lifted UWC from fifth to third on the log and increased their odds of realising the objective of finishing in the top four and securing a semi-final spot.
On a cold evening UWC maintained the majority of ball possession in the first half playing with the wind. However, once again UWC missed numerous goal-scoring chances when they attacked.
Following four successive draws for UWC in their opening matches, the game against UJ was not an easy encounter. Both teams fought until the last minute, both hoping to secure a top-four spot. But in the end it was UWC who secured the win on their home turf.
In the second half UWC coach Adams brought on Josh Silent and Suhayl Allie, who started in all the previous games but were surprisingly on the bench, and the move paid off. As it turned out, the fans were excited by the changes and rightly so, as it was not long before Silent delivered the winning goal of the game.
Silent came off the bench to score a cracker in the 74th minute – almost from the same position he scored the winning goal in the 2015 final against TUT, on the same field – sending the home supporters into raptures.
FNB Man of the Match: Keenan Davis (UWC)
Scorer: Josh Silent (UWC)
Teams:
UWC starting XI: Renald Leaner, Clinton Herwel, Akhona Bonga, Keenan Davis, Nhlanhla Manana, Kwanele Nocanda, Ryan Steer, Thulani Mkosi, Akhona Cawe,
Phiwokuhle Mphalala, Masibulele Maseti
Subs: Brent Layman, Suhayl Allie, Lwando Ngqwemla, Aghmat Ceres, Andile Phango, Josh Silent, Giovani Gaffoor
UJ starting XI: Damaine van Der Walt, Ruwell Jagger(c), Ntokozo Tshabalala, Funnynight Sisimogang, Dane Futuin, Lindani Mazibuko, Sthembiso Manana, Tshepo Tolo, Pogiso Mabote, Tebego Mandyu, Samuel Warder
Subs: Simphiwe Xaba, Mpumelelo Sambo, Sbongeleni Gamade, Jared Abrahams, Melusi Mahlaba, Given Msimango, Katlego Ntsabeleng
UFH vs WITS (Result: 3-1)
The first half began with both teams in a tug of war with each other, attempting to gain the lead, but the boys from Fort Hare seem to be a little disorganised as they spent little time in their opponents' half.
Towards the end of the first half Wits kept pushing forward but the defenders from University of Fort Hare Bathandwa Zondani and Siphamandla Zanekile proved to be a problem for the forwards of Wits.
The first 45 minutes came to an end with both teams unable to score, but the University of Fort Hare seemed to be gaining momentum.
But Wits came out with energy in the second half, going on the attack at start of the whistle. It took 49 minutes for the home side to break the deadlock. University of Fort Hare striker Olwethu Bless scored the first goal of the match.
UFH keeper Emmanuel Mashabela was vital to their hopes of three points, managing to make crucial saves time and time again. On the hour-mark, UFH’s counter attacking paid dividends when Fort Hare’s winger, Andile Batyi, delivered a cross from the corner and Olwethu Bless
found the back of the net with a stunning header to give Fort Hare a 2-0 lead.
Wits tried desperately to find their way onto the scoreboard, but Fort Hare kept their defense solid. Then, with just minutes to play, Wits defender Kaizer Maphanga scored a goal to pull the score back to 2-1.
It was a tense final few minutes, but the game was put beyond doubt when Andile Batyi beat his defender and scored the final goal to put UFH 3-1 up.
FNB Man of the Match: Olwethu Bless (UFH)
Scorers:
UFH: Olwethu Bless (2), Andile Batyi
Wits: Kaizer Maphanga
Teams:
UFH Starting XI: Emmanuel Mashabela, Bathandwa Zondani, Masilive Nyosi, Siphamandla Zanekile, Sijongisonke Peter, Xolani Vuyani, Sindile Mlilo, Bongisa Bhomba, Andile Batyi, Siphelele Qumba, Olwethu Bless
Subs: Phakamani Mangona, Siphenkosi Ngxoko, Zwelethu Banga, Tomas Magagasa, Solomzi Nkumbesi, Banele Thompson, Siphamandla Dlela
Wits Starting XI: Brylon Lee Petersen, Snethemba Ronald Msan, Kaizer Maphanga, Obert Rukato, Keamogestwe Mokalake, Ernest Koketso Sefako, Tristan Gatter, Mahle Mtabane, Saluleko Mathonsi, Lyndon Crouch, Graeme Dor
Subs: Sithembiso Zuke, Tumisang Calvin Maname, Jamie Iacovos Ioannides, Luke Gregory Pereira, Sicelo Khumalo, Makana Mphuthi, Shaun Matintela
NWU-MAFIKENG vs TUT (Result: 0-1)
The North-West University Mafikeng team conceded its second defeat in the 2016 Varsity Football tournament, losing by one goal to log leaders Tshwane University of Technology.
The game between the two teams, flanked by an overflow of supporters for both sides, saw TUT guarantee itself a spot in the tournament semi-finals of this year’s Varsity Football.