UWC made it two wins out of two at home by beating UKZN – a team whose off-field issues seemed to impact their on-field performance – 3-0.
UKZN had goalkeeper coach Menzi Myeni in charge after the rest of the coaches were left behind, and the uncertainty was evident in the visitors play.
Playoff-chasing UWC were in no mood to be merciful and took advantage of the disorganised visitors when striker Leandro de Sousa rose high and buried a well-taken header in the 20th minute.
Befitting the visitors’ issues, they won a fortuitous penalty four minutes later but – following a debate between Bongumenzi Zulu (who scored from the spot against CUT) and Thabiso Nhlengethwa – the latter took the spotkick, and duly had his effort saved by Aidan Leak.
The game slowly opened thereafter with both sides finding their feet on the game but the first stanza ended 1-0 to UWC.
Ten minutes into the second half, UWC coach Stanton Smith introduced Thapelo Masopha with the intention of putting more pressure on the visitors. UKZN had other ideas, though, as they went pound-to-pound pushing for the equaliser.
In doing so, they made themselves vulnerable at the back and Jaydan Petersen duly pounced when calmly slotted the second goal past Banele Kubeka to make it 2-0. The match now looked to be out of the visitors’ reach, despite them having scored in all four matches to date this season.
UKZN also found Siphosethu Meveni a thorn in their side and he was on hand in the 78th minute to assist Petersen with a smart chip which the attacker struck past Kubeka for his second goal of the match.
UWC comfortably saw out the remainder of the match to enhance their playoffs hopes while leaving UKZN rooted to the bottom of the standings.
The next game for UWC is against TUT, back at their ‘Operation Room’.
UWC (1) 3 Leandro de Sousa, Jaydan Petersen 2
UKZN (0) 0
FNB Player of the Match: Siphosethu Meveni (UWC)
Debonairs Real Deal Save of the Match: Aidan Leak (UWC)
MTN Moment of Brilliance: Jaydan Petersen (UWC)
UWC: 1. Aidan Leak (GK), 5. Clinton Herwel, 24. Abdel-Hakeem Mohamed, 6. Luke Vester, 9. Emmanuel Sebareme (capt), 15. Kyle Segers, 26. Sandile Mdluli, 10. Stefan Stuurman, 21. Siphosethu Meveni, 17. Leandro De Sousa, 7. Jaydan Petersen.
Replacements: 28. Nhlanhla Mtambo (GK), 4. Linamandla Mchilizeli, 8. Thapelo Masopha, 13. Matthew Petersen, 14. Deflandre de Lange, 23. Bulelani Ngidi, 25. Dawood Lawrence.
Coach: Stanton Smith
UKZN: 20. Banele Kubeka (GK), 12. Bhekabambo Mkhize, 16. Thobani Maseko, 25. Siphamandla Sosibo, 3. Siphesihle Sokhela, 11. Khumbulani Mbokazi, 18. Ziyanda Ndlovu, 4. Lungani Nhlengethwa (capt), 2. Thabiso Nhlengethwa, 8. Mthobisi Mathaba, 9. Bongumenzi Zulu.
Replacements: 1. Thandolwakhe Radebe (GK), 6. Mzwandile Mkhize, 8. Lungelo Dube, 13. Bheka Ncube, 15. Sifundo Nkosi, 17. Eugene Mkhize, 23. Siboniso Ndlovu.
Coach: Menzi Myeni (stand-in)
By Dumisani Koyana
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