Round six of the Varsity Football 2024 tournaments 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.
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 what will be a thrilling Bloemfontein derby to sign off their campaign, while TUT are away to UP-Tuks in another thrilling Tshwane derby.
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.
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 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.
Scorers: Boy Rantsoti, Eagan Vollenhoven (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.
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.
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 0-1 UP-Tuks
A wounded UP-Tuks welcomed newcomers DUT at the Tuks Stadium on a chilly and cloudy morning. The Stripe Generation were looking to get back to winning ways after their shocking 2-1 defeat to UWC in round 4.
While the Durbanites were highly motivated going into this encounter after sharing the spoils with defending champions TUT. Tuks enjoyed much of the possession in the opening half.
The three time champions looked sharp on attack with Samukelo Ngodela and Camagu Mdevula pairing well in the midfield. Captain Tshepiso Mahlangu and forward Ntokozo Madela had clear chances to open the scoring but failed to convert their chances. First Mahlangu headed over the posts in the 30th minute with a free header before Madela saw his shot blocked by keeper Xolani Mkhonza in a one-on-one situation.
DUT were not given a chance inside Tuks’ half and the only opportunity occurred when Matome Rangata failed to clear the ball and it fell on Sboniso Sithole but Tuks keeper Jayden van der Walt was up to the task keeping the score 0-0.
Finally Tuks got the breakthrough on the stroke of halftime. The high flying playmaker Samukelo Ngodela found the back of the net with a strike inside the box from a perfectly delivered cross. Tuks took a slender 1-0 lead at the break.
The sides returned from the break with Tuks looking to maintain their advantage and DUT waiting for their luck. Tuks remain rigid at the back keeping DUT at bay and limiting their chances. With no clear chances in the second half Tuks managed to secure maximum points and returned top of the log with a 1-0 win.
Scorers: Samukelo Ngodela (UP-Tuks)
FNB Player of the Match: Samukelo Ngodela (UP-Tuks)
DUT: Jayden Van Der Walt, Khotatso Balepile, Nkosana Shabalala, Edward Rankwe, Tshepiso Mahlangu ©, Camagu Mdevulana, Joshua Wood, Matome Rangata, Samukelo Ngodela, Ntokozo Madela, Quintin Stokes-Waller.