UJ welcomed UWC to their Soweto Campus stadium in a partly cloudy weather which created a tetchy mood throughout the 2-2 game.
The first half proved to be dominated by the visitors as they were not giving the home team any room to pass the ball around. This pressure told when, in the first 10 minutes, UWC took the lead when Abdel-Hakeem Mohamed put the ball in the back of the net with a neat tap-in.
To find anyway they could into the game, UJ were forced to play long balls to move from their own half to try and create opportunities.
Uj kept on pushing, creating chances but it was unfortunate for the Orange Army that nothing came in their favour in the first half. Mandla Zwane even made an early substitution, taking off Kamohelo Molatlhegi for Moagi Makhoane.
That move hadn’t paid dividends by half-time yet, but there was still 45 minutes to come…
As it happened, UWC themselves created the opening for the hosts. The visitors’ goalkeeper, Ryan Ramandh, received second yellow card for time wasting five minutes into the second half.
The Orange Army were not to turn down the gift, and promptly found an equaliser through Makhoane.
It was at this stage, with UWC forced to change their shape, that more and more chances became available – for both teams.
UJ initially wasted theirs, and that looked fatal when UWC took thge lead again with 20 minutes left through a well taken free kick from Luke Vester.
Buoyed on by the crowd who braved the chilly weather, UJ refound their momentum in the closing stages. Junior Makhubele hitting the framework with ten minutes left, before – with five minutes left on the clock – substitute Preston McKay headed home another equaliser. UWC were left deflated while the UJ contingent couldn’t contain their happiness at finding another goal.
That boisterousness spilled over when Lesego Sebetlela was red-carded while sat on the bench for using foul and abusive language before the ref blew for full-time ending a tetchy clash in a 2-2 draw – with both teams lamenting what might have been.
UJ (0) 2 Moagi Makhoane, Preston McKay
UWC (1) 2 Abdel-Hakeem Mohamed, Luke Vester
Dismissals: Ryan Ramandh (UWC); Lesego Sebetlela (UJ)
FNB Player of the Match: Preston McKay (UJ)
Debonairs Real Deal Save of the Match: Clinton Herwel (UWC)
MTN Pulse Moment of Brilliance: Preston McKay (UJ)
UJ: 27. Alan Mabuza (GK), 2. Nkosinathi Sibiya, 19. Siyabonga Goqo, 23. Lebone Lephiri, 24. Lebogang Mosiane, 14. Thabang Lebese, 6. Sphesihle Mbhele (capt), 7. Junior Makhubele, 10. Sibusiso Dlamini, 25. Keegan Faver, 11. Kamohelo Molatlhegi.
Replacements: 28. Richard Lona (GK), 4. Lesego Sebetlela, 5. Preston McKay, 18. Moagi Makhoane, 20. Prince Matje, 21. Gerald Ndlovu, 22. Goodwell Mosima.
UWC: 27. Ryan Ramandh (GK), 9. Emmanuel Sebareme (capt), 5. Clinton Herwel, 6. Luke Vester, 24. Abdel-Hakeem Mohamed, 21. Siphosethu Meveni, 26. Sandile Mdluli, 17. Leandro De Sousa, 15. Kyle Segers, 10. Stefan Stuurman, 7. Jaydan Petersen.
Replacements: 28. Nhlanhla Mtambo (GK), 2. Azola Ntsabo, 12. Litha Dakuse, 13. Matthew Petersen, 14. Deflandre de Lange, 23. Bulelani Ngidi, 25. Dawood Lawrence.
By Gontse Hlophe
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