Fresh from toppling defending champions TUT, UFS beat UJ 2-1 in Bloemfontein to consolidate their semi-finals hopes and all but end their visitors’.
Looking to carry over the momentum from the TUT match, UFS started in menacing fashion when Obarate Saila set up Siphelele Ngwenya on the right flank, but Ngwenya’s cross was cleared for a corner.
The visitors sought to fight back through Lebone Lephiri, whose tame shot sailed over the bar.
Then, after UFS regained the ball in their half, Ngwenya was let loose and clinically fired past Alan Mabuza to give the hosts the lead. With increased vigour in them, UFS piled on the pressure, which resulted in a near post shot by Dylan O’Brien, forcing Mabuza into a brilliant save.
In an unexpected turn of events, Lephiri headed past Nelson Chauke, but the ball hit the inside of the far post and bobbled to safety, much to the relief of the home faithful. Therafter, with the towering presence of Tristan Nikitaridis in sight, Chauke left his area to clear the ball, but it fell to Lephiri, whose shot was headed to safety.
Clever interplay between Ngwenya and Makhaola Mohale left O’Brien with an opportunity to double the lead, but the visitor’s defence stood tall. Following a long throw from Aidan Basiak, Chauke spilled the ball into his net from a resultant header, but the referee’s assistant deemed Chauke to have been fouled. That would be the last meaningful event of the first half as hosts took a narrow lead into the interval.
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Almost immediately after the restart, Lephiri found himself in acres of space, but his shot was just inches wide of the upright. The visitors continued to search for an equaliser and came close through captain Sphesihle Mbhele, whose shot was unfortunately too tame to trouble Chauke.
Shortly after the hour mark, following clever play from Saila, Angelo Arendse swivelled in the opposition box and calmly passed the ball into the net to extend the home side’s lead.
Given a free kick a few yards outside the UFS box, substitute Junior Makhubele stepped up hoping to pull one goal back. However, his powerful shot went well over the crossbar.
With the game nearing towards its close, UJ goalkeeper Mabuza tried his luck after an offside-induced free kick at the halfway line, but his shot would have been more fitting at a rugby match.
O’Brien soon pounced on a lapse in concentration from the visitors, but Basiak’s accurate last-ditch tackle prevented a third goal for the home side. Following a scramble in the UFS box, the visitors pulled one goal back through an own goal by Thapelo Madrati. The home side held on for a victory that made them joint table-toppers with a trip to Tuks Stadium to come next week.
UFS (1) 2 Siphelele Ngwenya, Angelo Arendse
UJ (0) 1 Thapelo Madrati own goal
FNB Player of the Match: Siphelele Ngwenya (UFS)
Debonairs Pizza Real Deal Save of the Match: Alan Mabuza (UJ)
MTN Pulse Moment of Brilliance: Angelo Arendse (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, 8. Obarate Saila, 25. Bradwell Gouws, 4. Siphelele Ngwenya, 9. Dylan O’Brien.
Replacements: 28. Mafase Malomane (GK), 12. Themba Msimanga, 13. Nnyane Nkomo, 14. Ashley Shingange, 17. Mihlali Fatyela, 18. Katleho Phutheo, 22. Katleho Lephaka.
Coach: Morethebe Modutoane
UJ: 27. Alan Mabuza (GK), 17. Sihle Mbele, 4. Lesego Sebetlela, 13. Aidan Basiak, 23. Lebone Lephiri, 2. Nkosinathi Sibiya, 14. Thabang Lebese, 6. Sphesihle Mbhele (capt), 18. Moagi Makhoane, 8. Phelelani Mvelase, 26. Tristan Nikitaridis.
Replacements: 28. Richard Lona (GK), 5. Preston McKay, 7. Junior Makhubele, 15. Neo Lebopa, 22. Goodwell Mosima, 24. Lebogang Mosiane, 25. Keegan Faver.
Coach: Mandla Zwane
By Sam Styrax
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