The last of the group phase fixtures took place at the Bidvest Stadium, when Wits played host to NWU-Mafikeng. The game saw the visitors put three goals past Wits and progress to the next stage of the competition, while Wits already knew their fate before kick-off.
The game got off to a rather cagey start with teams playing with lots of caution. NWU must have taken their notes from Wits’ last home game against Tuks, because the defence looked resolute in the opening exchanges. NWU finally broke the deadlock, when Thaphelo Tlabakwe pounced and tapped in a cross from the right-hand side to give his side 1-0 lead. The game then got on and it was the visitors who looked like they would score again but it wasn’t to be as the teams headed to the tunnel for half time with the score at 1-0 to NWU-Mafikeng.
The second half saw a lot more action with the host scoring first in a similar fashion to NWU’s first goal. The equaliser came from substitute striker Jauhar Gilbert, who also found himself at the end of a cross and neatly finished into the net to make it 1-1.
The match then took a bit of a twist, when both sides became more cautious with less opportunities availing themselves to the strikers. The next goal however did come at about 10 minutes before the final whistle through Tlabakwe again, who powered past the Wits defence and sent a thunder bolt of a shot past Wits shot stopper Brylon Petersen to make it 2-1.
The next goal didn’t take too long as the same man again ran past the defence and slipped a third for his team and himself. The final whistle then followed shortly afterwards which saw the visitors win 3-1 and progress to the next stage of the tournament.
Scorers:
Wits: Jauhar Gilbert
NWU-Mafikeng: Thaphelo Tlabakwe (3)
FNB Man of the Match: Thaphelo Tlabakwe (NWU-Mafikeng)
Wits starting XI: Brylon Peterson (GK), Snethemba Msane, Keamogetswe Molalake, Kaizer Maphanga (C), Tristan Gatter, Obert Rukato, Saluleko Mathonsi, Koketso Sefako, Mahle Mtabane, Lyndon Crouch, Graeme Dor
Subs: Sthembiso Zuke, Abram Mahate, Tumisang Manamela, Iacovos Ioannides, Shaun Mantintela, Keitumetse Maloka,
Tshireletso Motsogi
NWU-Mafikeng starting XI: Amogelang Maduo (GK); Tshepo Desmond, Mojuda Matlhanyane, Sifiso Ngwenya, Wendelle Martin, Sipho Mateis, Vusumuzi Ludwala, Sandile Mbatha (c), Orebotse Mongae, Mogomotsi Molefe, Thapelo Tlabakwe.
Subs: Luzuko Jevuka (GK); Thabang Makgwane, Tshepo Baholo, Katlego Banda, Tshepo Mediro, Koketso Motsile, Tebogo Mokgobo.
By Sifiso Nyawo
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