UJ Keep Perfect Varsity Football Record as UFS Finally Find Winning Formula

UJ continued their remarkable start to the Varsity Football season on Friday, securing a fourth consecutive victory and booking their place in the semi-finals after beating Wits 2-0 in the Johannesburg derby.

The result keeps UJ firmly at the top of the standings with a perfect 12 points from four matches. Even more impressive is their defensive record — they are yet to concede a goal this season.

Sandile Nkosi put UJ ahead in the first half after the visitors capitalised on a Wits mistake on the counter-attack. The home side pushed for a response but struggled to break down a disciplined UJ defence.

Wits goalkeeper Reddel Duh kept his team in the contest with an excellent save early in the second half, but UJ eventually sealed the points when Tokoloho Vilakazi pounced late on to make it 2-0.

Nkosi was named Player of the Match following another influential display.

UFS end winless run

Defending champions UFS finally got their Varsity Football campaign moving with a dramatic 2-1 comeback victory over UL at Oscar Mpetha Stadium.

UL made the brighter start and took the lead through Maano Phaswana after just nine minutes.

The Kovsies responded after the break, with Ben Kraai restoring parity before Jerome Jansen completed the comeback with the winning goal.

The result gives UFS their first victory of the campaign and could provide a much-needed boost as they attempt to defend their title.

Jansen’s match-winning performance earned him the Player of the Match award.

UP-Tuks cruise past DUT

UP-Tuks strengthened their position in the race for the top four with a convincing 3-0 victory over DUT in Durban.

Ntokozo Madela opened the scoring after a swift counter-attack before Matome Rangata produced one of the standout moments of the night with a long-range effort that sailed over the DUT goalkeeper.

Substitute Philasande Khuzwayo then added a third to complete a comfortable victory for the visitors.

DUT had threatened early on, hitting the crossbar, but UP-Tuks gradually took control and punished their opponents with greater efficiency in the final third.

UWC maintain unbeaten run

UWC also continued their unbeaten start with an entertaining 3-2 victory over TUT.

The home side initially took the lead through Kearabilwe Mphahlele after Akani Rathokoa’s excellent individual work created the opening.

UWC hit back through Imaan January before turning the game around and eventually taking control.

TUT managed to level the contest in the second half, but UWC had the final say when substitute Liphulo Zini produced a superb curling finish in the 80th minute.

The victory leaves UWC unbeaten after four matches, with two wins and two draws.

UJ setting the early standard

With four wins, 12 points, a semi-final place already secured and zero goals conceded, UJ have emerged as the clear early benchmark in this year’s Varsity Football competition.

Behind them, the race for the remaining semi-final places remains wide open, with UP-Tuks and UWC among the sides looking to keep pace.

For defending champions UFS, meanwhile, Friday’s comeback could prove to be the turning point they desperately needed.