Former champions, UWC, shrugged off their ‘bad travellers’ tag to hammer UJ 5-1 in Johannesburg on Thursday night thanks to a hat-trick by Xolisa Makubalo.
The match began with UJ fans singing and cheering their hearts out. Patient build up by UJ had them take the ascendency early in the match. It was a tense start for both teams but a mistake by UJ’s last line of defence allowed Xolisa Makubalo to open the scoring with a cracker. It was 0-1 to UWC.
The combination of Tebogo Mandyu and Shaune Mogaila, looked very dangerous for UJ. But they still couldn’t manage an equalizer, even after Shaune Mogaila released a rocket from outside the box. The UWC keeper, Ryan Ramandh was doing exceptionally well between the sticks.
It was all UJ for most of the first half, but UWC countered well and following a break down the left, Damaine van der Walt received a red card for fouling Makubalo. UJ had to make a change in goal – Lebohang Monnatlale had to make way for Simphiwe Xaba.
Approaching half time UJ still managed to put pressure up front with Mogaila whipping in beautiful crosses. But it was 0-1 at the break.
Second half started in the worst way possible for UJ as UWC scored a second through Makubalo and it was 0-2 to the visitors. It was becoming end-to-end stuff and UJ’s managed to pull one back against all odds after a cross by Dane Fortuin had the keeper fumbling and Msimango made no mistake pulling it back for the home side, 1-2.
But UJ were vulnerable with just 10 men. Msimango was unable to cover in time, as Makubalo was put in one-on-one with the substitute keeper and he finished to restore the two-goal cushion, 1-3. The nthe floodgates opened. Phiwokuhle Mphalala curled a beauty in with his left to make it 1-4 for UWC. Fans began to walk out, not impressed at all.
The visitors caught UJ on the break, as another long ball reached Makubalo who bagged a hat-trick and took UWC to 1-5. The match ended 1-5 to UWC, as the 2015 champions secured a semi-final spot.
FNB Player of the Match: Xolisa Makubalo (UWC)
Samsung best shot: Phiwokuhle Mphalala (UWC)
Scores
UJ: 1
Goals: Given Msimango
UWC: 5
Goals: Xolisa Makubalo (3), Phiwokuhle Mphalala, Ndude Xolela
Teams
UJ: Damaine van der Walt, Hayden Slava, Lebohang Monnatlale, Dane Fortuin, Given Msimango, Potoko Mametja, Shaune Mogaila, Katlego Ntsabeleng, Pogiso Mabote, Tebogo Mandyu, Manqoba Luvuno
Subs: Simphiwe Xaba, Simphiwe Maphanga, Karabo Malete, Sthembiso Manana, Ryan Peters, Thapelo Molefe, Wade Rowe
UWC: Ryan Ramandh, Aghmat Geres, Giovani Gaffoor, Xolela Ndude, Lyle Hardenberg, Garren Smith, Thulani Mkhosi, Ryan Steer, Clinton Herwel, Josh Silent, Phiwokuhle Mphalala
Subs: Akhona Cawe, Clint Fredericks, Xolisa Makubalo, Luke Vester, Ayanda Nkunkwana, Chad Smith, Renaldo Leaner
By Jabu Mthombeni
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