North-West University (NWU) Varsity Football team, dubbed the noble boys of the tournament, did not disappoint as they delivered a solid and convincing 2-1 victory to their challengers and hopefuls University of Western Cape (UWC) on July 26.
Determined to cement their status as the best of the two teams, NWU drew first blood with a devastating goal from Tshepo Baholo, which UWC answered by scoring their own equaliser shortly before the game went into half-time.
Coming back from half-time and determined to reign supreme, the NWU side scored a scorching second goal, through number 14, Lebohang Phetlhu, which sealed UWC’s fate in the platinum province to much jubilation and cheer from the NWU blue wave which filled the stadium to capacity.
TUT stun defending champions
The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) out-maneuvered their Capital opponents, the University of Pretoria 2-1 in a match where TUT made better use of their chances at the Tuks Football Stadium on Monday evening.
It was the home team that dominated the opening minutes of the match with the current title holders fielding a much less experienced team than last season.
Photo: Varsity Soccer
Despite being on the back foot, it was TUT that struck first as late replacement Lebogang Phatlane broke the defence before swiftly guiding the ball into the net.
Tuks continued to try break the defence of the visitors but the wall stood strong as TUT held a 1-0 lead at the break.
It was much the same in the second stanza as the University of Pretoria attacked in waves but it was that man, Phatlane, who made it 2-0 with time running out for the defending champions.
Nhlanhla Mabaso did pull back a consolation goal for Tuks as he headed in a superb cross kick but it was a case of too little, too late as TUT handed their rivals and defending champions, Tuks, a 2-1 defeat.
UJ run rampant as they see off University of Limpopo 7-1
The University of Johannesburg (UJ) saw off the University of Limpopo (UL) 7-1 at the UJ Stadium in Soweto on Thursday evening as the long-awaited Varsity Football season finally got underway.
UL made its first appearance in Varsity Football since 2014. With many excited to see how their return would pan out.
It was an extremely tight contest in the first stanza with both teams showing attacking ability and the hunger to score. The University of Limpopo was given the opportunity to open the scoring with a free kick 27 minutes in but could not capitalise on their chances.
UJ finally opened the scoring in the 37th minute through Tebogo Mnyandu as he scored on the rebound from UJ’s free kick. Just four minutes later, UJ doubled their lead through a goal from Mokete Makgaila who bolted a powerful shot into the top left corner of the net.
Photo: VarsitySports
Just before the half ended, Tebogo Mnyandu scored his second converting a shot from close range in the 43rd minute. Making UJ lead 3-0 at the break, with UL looking like they needed to go back to the drawing board.
As the second half went underway, from their style of attacking play it was clear that the University of Limpopo was ready to fight back. Freddy Matheba netted a goal to make it 3-1 just three minutes into the second half.
UL’s joy was short-lived though, with UJ’s Mokete Mogaila scoring his second of the match two minutes after, making the scoring 4-1 in the 50th minute.
Eight minutes later, defensive midfielder Karl Clements scored a screamer from just outside the penalty area, making it 5-1 to UJ and a worrying sight for UL as they failed to get themselves back into the game. It would only become worse for UL as the home team netted their sixth, and Pogiso Mabote’s first of the match making the score 6-1 with only twenty minutes to go until full time.
In the 87th minute, UJ finished off their opponents with a team goal which led to their seventh goal of the match being scored by substitute O’Neil Hendricks after receiving a pass from Pogiso Mabote.
Also Read:
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Ikekeletso Technical High School crowned provincial champions
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