As the 2023 Varsity Football tournament reaches the business end of the group stages it's become clear which teams are vying for those semifinal positions and whose prospects of making the playoffs are dwindling.
Round 5 saw the UJ Orange Army retain top stop on the log while defending champs TUT, UWC and all picked up wins.
TUT 2-1 VUT
The TUT red army got their groove back coming to this game second in the log standings and 13 minutes in Thuso Mlamla scored a tap-in goal to give TUT an early lead.
A goal down didn’t dampen the VUT efforts and they went toe to toe with the defending champions.
The second half saw VUT concede once more as Ronald Mabaso headed home his sixth goal of the season.
VUT continued to apply late pressure and were rewarded when Ntokozo Mgidi scored a wonderful free kick from 21 yards out.
Goal scorers: Thuso Mlamla - TUT, Ronald Mabaso - TUT, and Ntokozo Mgidi – VUT
FNB Player of The Match - Luyanda Madindi
TUT: Luyanda Madindi, Alan Moja, Mekdiwe Bongani Ncenya, Tebogo Lekaba, Ndumiso Kubheka, Thuso Mlamla, Freddy Mahloana, Hendrick Mncedisi Xaba, Tshiamo Mahome, Ronald Mabaso, Tiego Mathebe.
VUT: Thabiso Simon Moeketsi, Kgotso Nhlapo, Perceverance Mashabane, Medupi Thokolo, Simamkele Masiza, Sizwe Sibeko, Siyabonga Nombewu, Kgahlisho Kgomoeswana, Thabiso Singo, Lucky Raphala, Ntokozo Mgidi.
UWC 4-0 UFH
UWC continued where they left off last week as they sealed a 4-0 victory over Fort Hare.
Lwando Mdleleni’s charges started off slowly despite two early chances that went amiss.
Twelve minutes in and striker Leandro De Sousa converted from the penalty spot to give UWC the lead after Damian Overmeyer was fouled inside the box.
UWC continued to pile on the pressure and on the brink of halftime Shuaib Martin’s powerful strike found the back of the net to make it 2-0 for the home side.
Fort Hare had their moments and could have closed the gap after receiving a penalty, but Bonke Nxiwa’s shot hit the upright and couldn’t go in.
The second half started with a bang as the home side extended their lead after a firecracker from Riyaaz Koopstadt found the back of the net after 60 minutes.
UWC wrapping it up as Ronaldo Manuel wrote his name on the scoresheet in added time.
Scorers: Leandro de Sousa, Shuaib Martin, Riyaaz Koopstadt, Ronaldo Manuel – UWC
FNB Player of The Match: Shuaib Martin
UWC: Leathan Croats, Siyabulela Mcimeli, Damian Overmeyer, Craig Joemath, Jadan Zeeman, Riyaaz Koopstadt, Shuaib Martin, Khanya Alex Dyani, Relebohile Matima, Lutando Mpokotya, Leandro De Sousa.
UFH: Nkosiyethu Ngobe, Someleze Kapteni, Bonke Nxiwa, Mbeko Bungane, Athenkosi Masiza, Athenkosi Dobe, Bubele Gcuku, Snethemba Sibeko, Thabani Mqambeli, Sinobom Kapase, Oko Filtane.
UJ 1-0 CUT
Log leaders UJ hosted a struggling CUT and the Orange Army becomes the first team to win in three consecutive games in this year's campaign, retaining their top of the log status after Round 5.
Siphosihle Nkambule scored the only goal that mattered for the day, a tap-in goal after Tumelo Molubi played a short corner after Sanele Ndlalane delivered a perfect cross in the first 20 minutes of the game.
CUT emerged from the break a different team and found their rhythm in the first few minutes of the second half and continued to apply pressure despite UJ forward Tokoloho Vilakazi hitting the woodwork in the 52 minute.
Although it was not a convincing win for UJ, the Orange Army are yet to taste a defeat in this year's campaign.
Scorers: Siphosihle Nkambule – UJ
FNB Player of the Match - Karabo Modisane
UJ: Lona Richard Banga, Maselesele Makoti, Thabiso Mathambeka , Thabo Moshikere, Advocate Mokwena, Tumelo Molubi, Karabo Modisane, Sanele Ndlalane, Philane Masondo, Ntokozo Mathobela, Siphosihle Nkambule.
CUT: Motlalentwa Jacob Mbolekwa, Lefa Matlase, Simo Ndlovu, Khotso Mphene, Tumelo Mothabeng, Oratile Mothibedi, Lehlohonolo Nkaekae, Mpho Bartman, Malefetsane Matale, Pule Macdonald Thekiso, Mbongiseni Ngwenya.
UFS 1-1 NWU
There was late drama in Bloemfontein as the Kovies and Eagles settled for a share of points.
The UFS defence was outstanding in the opening 15 minutes as they managed to weather wave-after-wave of attack by the visitors.
Ethan Goldstone was solid in the midfield and once he started hitting his stride, Boy Rantsoti started feeding off his energy.
It was no surprise that the pair linked up well for the first goal, with Goldstone tapping in the rebound following the initial strike by Rantsoti in the 33rd minute.
Goldstone could count himself unlucky not to score a brace after being flagged offside after scoring from a rebound when a thumping Lizwi Kunene strike hit the crossbar early in the second half.
UFS were reduced to 10 men in the 66th minute when the regular captain Aphiwe Zulu was shown a straight red card following an altercation when tempers started to flare as the frustration started to creep in.
With five minutes of regular time left, NWU, scored the equaliser courtesy of a Khopotso Moshapo header to salvage a point from the game.
Scorers: Ethan Goldstone - UFS , Khopotso Moshapo - NWU
FNB Player of the Match – Ethan Goldstone
UFS: Tisetso Seodinyane, Iviwe Dyabuza, Obakeng Seekoei, Aphiwe Zulu, Thandolwethu Khoza, Lizwi Kunene, Jarome Jansen, Reatlehile Meya, Arlonso Diedricks, Jermein Marou, Boy Rantsoti.
NWU: Kamogelo Matane, Aphelele Sibisi, Heaven Sereetsi, Kananelo Motsoeneng, Khopotso Moshapo, Reatlegile Kgosithebe, Thabang Majoro, Lesiba Mahlong, Lesego Motsepe, Lucas Seromo, Pascual Tivane