The first half began with both teams in a tug of war with each other, attempting to gain the lead, but the boys from Fort Hare seem to be a little disorganized as they spent little time in their opponents half and more in their own half.
Towards the end of the first half Wits kept pushing forward but the defenders from University of Fort Hare Bathandwa Zondani and Siphamandla Zanekile proved to be a problem for the attacking forwards Wits.
The first 45 minutes came to an end with both teams unable to score, but the University of Fort Hare seeming to be in the ascendency.
But Wits came out raring in the second half, going on the attack at start of the whistle. It took 49 minutes for the home side to break the deadlock. University of Fort Hare striker Olwethu Bless scored the first goal of the match and put Fort Hare in a 1-0 lead.
UFH keeper Emmanuel Mashabela was vital to their hopes of three points, managing to make crucial saves time and time again. On the hour mark, UFH’s counter attacking paid dividends when Fort Hare’s winger, Andile Batyi, delivered a cross from the corner and Olwethu Bless
found the back of the net with a stunning header to give Fort Hare a 2-0 lead.
Wits tried desperately to find their way onto the scoreboard, but Fort Hare kept their defense solid. Then, with just minutes to play, Wits defender Kaizer Maphanga scored a goal to pull the score back to 2-1.
It was a tense final few minutes, but the game was put beyond doubt when Andile Batyi beat his defender and scored the final goal to put UFH 3-1. Their victory over Wits a historic first win for the men from Alice.
FNB Man of the Match: Olwethu Bless (UFH)
Scorers:
UFH: Olwethu Bless (2), Andile Batyi
Wits: Kaizer Maphanga
Teams:
UFH Starting XI: Emmanuel Mashabela, Bathandwa Zondani, Masilive Nyosi, Siphamandla Zanekile, Sijongisonke Peter, Xolani Vuyani, Sindile Mlilo, Bongisa Bhomba, Andile Batyi, Siphelele Qumba, Olwethu Bless
Subs: Phakamani Mangona, Siphenkosi Ngxoko, Zwelethu Banga, Tomas Magagasa, Solomzi Nkumbesi, Banele Thompson, Siphamandla Dlela
Wits Starting XI: Brylon Lee Petersen, Snethemba Ronald Msan, Kaizer Maphanga, Obert Rukato, Keamogestwe Mokalake, Ernest Koketso Sefako, Tristan Gatter, Mahle Mtabane, Saluleko Mathonsi, Lyndon Crouch, Graeme Dor
Subs: Sithembiso Zuke, Tumisang Calvin Maname, Jamie Iacovos Ioannides, Luke Gregory Pereira, Sicelo Khumalo, Makana Mphuthi, Shaun Matintela
By Kgoboko Kgoboko
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