Varsity Football Wrap – UKZN Shock Tuks As UJ And UFS Book Semis Spots

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) and the University of the Free State (UFS) both secured their Varsity Football semi-final tickets after collecting important wins in match round six. Meanwhile, the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) shocked the Technical University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) and collected their first win of the 2022 edition. The Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) also put more misery on previous leaders North-West University (NWU), who have succumbed to back-to-back defeats.

UFS send Wits rock bottom

Kovsies were welcoming the Educated Footballers to Xerox Shimla Park today, with the visitors yet to pick up three points this campaign. Wits started the game like a house on fire and were leading after three minutes, when Nkosinathi Sibiya converted a penalty into the bottom-right corner. However, UFS were not shocked for long, as Boy Rantsoti scored the 1-1 equaliser in ninth minute. In the 35th minute, UFS put the game in it’s head, as Aphiwe Zulu put the hosts into the lead with a header following a corner. Sello Diphoko made it 3-1 for UFS with strike from 30 yards out in the 66th minute. Wits pulled one back in the 93rd minute through Bokang Tlali but it was a little too late, as the Educated Footballers fell into the bottom spot of the log. Kovsies, meanwhile, celebrated as they secured their top-four spot with one game to play.

FT score: UFS 3-2 Wits

Goals: 3’ 0-1 Nkosinathi Sibiya, 9’ 1-1 Boy Rantsoti, 38’ 2-1 Aphiwe Zulu, 66’ 3-1 Sello Diphoko, 90+3’ 3-2 Bokang Tlali

Man of the Match: Sello Diphoko (UFS)

UJ beat VUT in tight game

VUT were facing defending champions, UJ at UJ Stadium in a highly-anticipated clash. Thanda Madiba put the Orange Army into the lead after scoring with a wonderful free-kick from 28 yards. UJ carried their slender advantage into the break but were put under pressure in the second stanza. In the 53rd minute, VUT thought they had scored but Neo Lebopa made a goal-line clearance with a header following a beautiful cross from VUT right winger, Pule Matiba. UJ had a chance to double their lead in the 66th minute but a header by Gerald Ndlovu only hit the woodwork. In the end, UJ defended their lead thanks to several good saves by goalkeeper Richard Banga, who was named Man of the Match. The three points secured UJ a place in the semi-finals, while VUT need to beat NWU in their final game to have a chance of making the top four.

FT score: VUT 0-1 UJ

Goals: 26’ 0-1 Thanda Madiba

Man of the Match: Richard Banga (UJ)

UKZN upset Tuks

Fourth-placed University of Pretoria Tuks hosted bottom-placed UKZN in the early kick off and wanted to cement their semi-final hopes. However, the visitors went on to register their first win of this year’s competition as they beat record champions 2-1. UKZN got off to the perfect start when centre-back Simiso Xaba produced a moment of individual brilliance with a solo run from his half to put the visitors in front just six minutes into play. It did not take long for Tuks to answer Impi’s questions as the centre-back Mohlala Makola put them back in the game with a header following a corner. The game went from one chance to another and Tuks had a good opportunity to take the when Katlego Machaka unleashed a shot in the box only to be denied by the upright. Just seconds later, UKZN replied with a deadly counter attack and winger Anele Nxumalo made no mistake putting the ball into the back on the net. The result makes Tuks’ trip to Wits next week all the more fascinating for their top-four hopes, while the Impi will be boosted with confidence ahead of facing reigning champions University of Johannesburg next week.

FT score: Tuks 1-2 UKZN

Goals: 6’ 0-1 Simiso Xaba, 28’ 1-1 Mohlala Makola, 42’ 1-2 Anele Nxumalo

Man of the Match: Simiso Xaba (UKZN)

TUT collect massive win over NWU

NWU welcomed TUT at Mafikeng Stadium in a clash that saw both sides having much on the line. It was the visitors who drew first blood thanks to Tebogo Lekaba converting a penalty kick in the 22nd minute. The game remained a very tight affair as both sides knew there was a lot on the line. In the end, TUT brought home their tight win to move into third place on the log, while back-to-back defeats have put a major dent into the Noble Men’s semi-final aspirations. They now need to beat VUT in their final round-robin game to stand a chance of securing their top-four ticket.

FT score: NWU 0-1 TUT

Goals: 22’ 0-1 Tebogo Lekaba

Man of the Match: Tebogo Lekaba (TUT)