For the second week running, defending Varsity Football champions TUT didn’t win as UFS dismantled the Red Machine to win 2-0.
UFS initially struggled to deal with pressure from the visitors, which came courtesy of Mogau Mphahlele and Ronald Mabasa.
In spite of that, the hosts took advantage of their first clear opportunity when Makhaola Mohale laid the ball on a plate for Siphelele Ngwenya to pass it into the bottom corner.
Soon after, the boys from Tshwane went close to an equaliser, but Mabasa’s header went wide after a cross from Tebogo Lekaba.
A lob from UFS conductor Angelo Arendse fell to Dylan O’Brien, whose cross was unfortunately too high for Ngwenya.
On the half-hour mark, UFS made the visitors pay for their profligacy through a quick Ngwenya-orchestrated counter, which culminated in O’Brien making it two for the home side.
TUT came close to pulling one back, but Wisdom Mathebula’s powerful shot fizzed past the far post. Thabiso Lebitso then took an opportunity to test Nelson Chauke’s reflexes with a blazing shot, but UFS ‘keeper showed his competence with a well-timed save on his near post.
Not long after that, Chauke pulled off an equally-impressive save, this time preventing the ball from going in at the far post.
A rebound from O’Brien fell to Arendse, whose shot went well over the bar. That would be the last meaningful event of the half as UFS dealt with TUT’s physical dominance to take a two-goal advantage into the break.
UFS began the second half in similar fast-paced fashion and almost extended their lead when O’Brien’s pinpoint cross found Lebogang Ngamlani unmarked, but he skewed his header.
Not long after, a series of fouls led to a tussle in the middle of the park, which resulted in both TUT strongmen Brian Tshoba and Boipelo Molale going into the referee’s book.
UFS kept the pressure on, with a well-worked corner from Arendse leading to O’Brien testing Sikhumbuzo Ncube, but the visitors’ shotstopper palmed away the low shot.
Following that, Ngwenya found himself unmarked on the left flank, but his cross eluded his teammates. O’Brien and Ncube were to meet again, but Ncube thwarted O’Brien’s shot from close range. The UFS striker then found Obarate Saila with a low cross, he then laid it onto Arendse whose shot went wayward.
In the end, the hosts held on for what could be a crucial result in the season… for both teams.
UFS (2) 2 Siphelele Ngwenya, Dylan O’Brien
TUT (0) 0
FNB Player of the Match: Thapelo Madrati (UFS)
Debonairs Real Deal Save of the Match: Nelson Chauke (UFS)
MTN Moment of Brilliance: Dylan O’Brien (UFS)
UFS: 27. Nelson Chauke (GK), 23. Makhaola Mohale, 24. Obakeng Seekoei, 15. Gauta Mokati (capt), 3. Thapelo Madrati, 7. Lebogang Ngamlani, 6. Angelo Arendse, 4. Siphelele Ngwenya, 8. Obarate Saila, 25. Bradwell Gouws, 9. Dylan O’Brien.
Replacements: 28. Mafase Malomane (GK), 11. Thembinkosi Gwala, 12. Themba Msimanga, 13. Nnyane Nkomo, 14. Ashley Shingange, 21. Duncan Mohale, 22. Katleho Lephaka.
Coach: Mosai Rakometsi
TUT: 20. Sikhumbuzo Ncube (GK), 3. Rorisang Rapelang (capt), 5. Mogau Mphahlele, 16. Boipelo Molale, 2. Tumelo Mphela, 8. Tebogo Lekaba, 6. Thuso Mlamla, 10. Thabiso Lebitso, 4. Wisdom Mathebula, 13. Lebogang Phatlane, 15. Ronald Mabasa.
Replacements: 25. Kgaratlo Phatsoane (GK), 11. Moses Lehlomela, 21. Tlotlo Afrika, 22. Ogorositswe Tabane, 24. Jim Naselele, 27. Hendrick Xaba, 28. Tiego Mathebe.
Coach: Bushy Moloi
By Sam Styrax
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