Maintaining their great track record and number one position in the 2017 Varsity Football tournament, North-West University (NWU) drew 0-0 against their tournament’s third round opponents, University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) at the NWU’s campus in Potchefstroom on 10 August 2017.
Electrifying does not quite capture the atmosphere created by the NWU team supporters on the chilly evening. Their deafening vuvuzela sounds and confident bellows of songs of camaraderie, left UP-Tuks choking on the pitch.
Going into tonight’s match, UP-Tuks were desperate to clinch their maiden victory in the tournament only to have their hopes crushed by the NWU, dubbed 2017 Varsity Football underdogs, with their sterling defence and coordination.
The scoreline is no reflection of the match’s quality. It was end-to-end action as both teams had opportunities to snatch all three points. NWU used their crowd support to their advantage and could easily have won the match late on. But both teams put on excellent defensive displays to keep clean sheets.
“At the beginning of the tournament the team made a commitment to give each match their all,” said NWU team coach Xabaniso Xaba. “Three games into the tournament and the mind-set is still the same. We take each game as it comes and that is our source of strength. There is no better time than the present and it is evident in our game play.”
To say that NWU is one the best teams in this year’s tournament would be an understatement. As they go into the fourth round of the tournament to face off against the Cape’s UWC, NWU show no signs of slowing down or watering down their form.
Already with two spectacular wins in the bag and tonight’s draw against the tournament’s hopefuls, UP-Tuks, it is becoming apparent that their tag will soon be dropped.
FNB Man of the Match: Kennedy Ntuane (NWU)
Samsung Best Shot: Kennedy Ntuane (NWU)
Teams
NWU: Kennedy Ntuane, Gift Mogorosi, Mojuda Matlhanyane, Wendelle Martin, Abongile Lemese, Tshepo Makgopela, Mogomotsi Molefe, Sandile Mbatha, Vincent Langa, Vusumuzi Ludwala, Cameron Chweu
Subs: Luzuko Jevuka, Khotso Moleta, Tshepo Baholo, Paseka Matsheka, Omphile Menyatsoe, Michael Smit, Tebogo Mokgobo
UP-Tuks: Dylan Paterson, Katlego Motlhatseng, Simbongile Njokwe, Lawrence Ntswane, Pierre Kok, Claudio De Almeida, Sabelo Tsambo, Frank Mpedi, Richard Moremi, Nkebe Ludumo, Okolo Chinedu
Subs: Daylan Hawes, Odwa Makha, Leonel De Mondeca, Siphesihle Sosibo, Jeremiah Nkwana, Khumbulani Siluma, Clinton Mphahlele
By Phenyo Mokgothu
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