With round one of the 2024 Varsity Men’s Football competition kicking off on Thursday 25 July, teams picked up where they left off with last season's entertainment. UFS was ruthless in their first match against NWU while UP-Tuks snatched a late winner at home to give their fans something to look forward to in the campaign.
NWU 1-3 UFS
In a thrilling encounter, UFS clinched maximum points with a decisive 3-1 victory over NWU in an away match.
The game commenced with a high tempo, and UFS quickly demonstrated their intent. In the 24th minute, a corner kick delivered a perfect opportunity for the Kovsies as Obakeng Seeikoei rose above the NWU defenders to deliver a powerful header into the back of the net, giving the visitors an early lead. NWU 0-1 UFS.
As the first half progressed, NWU struggled to find their rhythm and paid the price for a defensive error just before halftime. In the 43rd minute, a miscalculated clearance by an NWU defender allowed UFS captain Boy Rantsoti to seize the opportunity. Rantsoti skillfully maneuvered past the remaining defenders and slotted the ball in the back of the net to extend UFS's lead, bringing the halftime score to NWU 0-2 UFS.
The second half saw NWU come out with renewed determination, pushing hard to overturn the deficit. Their efforts paid off in the 54th minute when they were awarded a penalty after a UFS player handled the ball in the penalty box. Reatlegile Kgosithebe, stepped up and confidently converted the penalty, narrowing the gap to NWU 1-2 UFS.
However, UFS quickly regained their composure and continued to apply pressure. In the 83rd minute, they were awarded a penalty following a rash tackle by an NWU defender. Rantsoti took responsibility and calmly placed the ball into the net, securing his second goal of the match.
Despite NWU's spirited attempts to mount a comeback, UFS held firm and maintained their lead until the final whistle.
Scorers:
NWU - Reatlegile Kgosithebe.
UFS – Obakeng Seekoei, Boy Rantsoti (2).
FNB Player of the Match: Jarome Jansen UFS)
NWU: Kamogelo Matane, Olebogeng Moeti (C), Sousa Mathe, Lucas Seromo, Lucky Letwaba, Thapelo Perseverence Letsholonyane, Pascual Tivane, Thabang Majoro, Smanga Twala, Xolani Masethi, Reatlegile Kgosithebe.
UFS: Boy Rantsoti (C), Omphemetse Matlhogonolo Athibeng, Samkelo Nakedi, Jarome Jansen, Moeti Mofokeng, Arlonso Diedricks, Iviwe Dyabuza, Sandile Mhlanga, Thandolwethu Khoza, Obakeng Seekoei, Tisetso Daniel Seodinyane.
CUT 0-0 DUT
CUT and DUT shared the spoils in Bloemfontein on Thursday night after playing to a 0-0 at the CUT Stadium in round one of the 2024 Varsity Men’s Football.
The visitors were the first to have a crack on goal, and it was as soon as the second minute, however, the shot hit the crossbar. It was a nervous start for both teams in the opening exchanges, but DUT were looking quite dangerous on the counter-attack.
The field seemed to be quite tricky to play on as there was a lot of slipping by players from both teams, and this probably affected the quality of the finishing, especially on the side of the hosts, who certainly created a lot of good chances.
At about the half hour mark CUT upped the tempo of the game, while the thin and cold Bloemfontein air could have been taking its toll on the team from the East Coast. This allowed CUT to be more dangerous on the attack, but a lack of finish saw the game deadlocked at 0-0 at the interval.
CUT missed a golden opportunity to open the scoring in the 61st minute of the game when DUT conceded a penalty for a foul in the box. The CUT captain and centre back Simo Ndlovu stepped up to the mark for the shot, but the staggered run up did not deceive the DUT goalkeeper Philasanda Mthembu who pulled off a brilliant save.
This was enough for the first timers in Varsity Men’s Football to force a goalless draw and head back to Durban with a point in the bag.
FNB Player of the Match: Pogisho Dikole (CUT)
CUT: Kananelo Sehebeng, Ramokhafeng Montsi, Jeffrey Mokoena, Alwande Sibiya, Simo Ndlovu (C), Tiisetso Mpholoana, Pogisho Dikole, Mzwakhe Shabalala, Mthabiseni Mlambo, Oratile Mothibedi, Lehlohonolo Nkaekae.
DUT: Philasande Mthembu, Xolani Mkhonza (C), Sifundo Ngema, Theo Nzama, Mlulamisi Khowa, Awande Ngidi, Thobani Jwara, Likho James, Khulekani Nxumalo, Nhlakanipho Ngwenya, Amahle Mkhize.
UP TUKS 1-0 VUT
UP-Tuks defeated VUT 1-0 in their opening match of the 2024 Varsity Men’s Football thanks to Raymond Matlamela’s strike late in the 85th minute. UP-Tuks welcomed VUT in their first encounter since their return to Varsity Football.
AmaTuks welcomed back a number of spectators as they took on VUT in the first round of the campaign. The home side enjoyed much of the possession in the opening half. Nicholas Stothard’s troops came close to opening the scoring when attacker Matome Rangata was fed a through ball only for him to misguide his first touch resulting in the VUT keeper rescuing his side.
The visitors absorbed the pressure and relied on their pacey wingers for counter attack. Sbusiso Makondo’s charges though were not given much space as they only threatened Tuks on one occasion and their efforts went wide with the game remaining goalless at the break.
AmaTuks intensified their attack in the second half and nearly got on the score sheet when Rangata was denied by an upright. Continued to pose a threat at VUT Rangata slotted in a dangerous cross however VUT responded to the task.
Tuks introduced striker Ntokozo Madela who fed Mnqobi Mkhize, however the second striker failed to convert.
Tuks’ efforts were finally rewarded with Raymond Matlamela tapping in a short cross to hand Tuks the lead in the dying stages of the game to make it 1-0 in the 85th minute to give Tuks all three points.
Scorers:
UP-Tuks – Raymond Matlamela
FNB Player of the Match: Raymond Matlamela (UP-Tuks).
UP-Tuks: Jayden Van Der Walt, Khotatso Balepile, Nkosana Shabalala, Edward Rankwe, Tshepiso Mahlangu (C), Paballo Mamabolo, Camagu Mdevulana, Matome Rangata, Raymond Tshwane Matlamela, Joshua Wood, Mnqobi Mkhize.
VUT: Tebogo Mosia, Gontse Kole, Kamohelo Ramalefane, Perceverance Mashabane, Kgotso Nhlapo (C), Lehlohonolo Ncambe, Marumo Lekoloane, Lucky Raphala, Thabiso Singo, Kgahlisho Kgomoeswana, Sibusiso Baloyi.
TUT 1-1 UWC
Defending champions TUT welcomed the UWC to the capital on a cold and chilly Thursday evening for the teams’ first match of the 2024 Varsity Men’s Football with the home side expecting a victory.
TUT started the quicker out of the blocks, controlling the game early on and applying a high press on their opposition, somewhat shocking the visitors. The home side’s pressure paid off when TUT’s captain Thuso Mlamla danced his way into the penalty area and was ultimately fouled. Anda Yamile converted the penalty giving the hosts a 1-0 lead.
The Red Army, had wind in their sails and went for the jugular, however, UWC had other ideas and caught them on the counter after a long ball played behind the home sides’ defense, finding Ranieri Salvini, with an immaculate first touch to set himself up, however, the defender was flat-footed and fouled Salvini, leaving the referee with no choice but to point to the spot.
The long-trusted lieutenant, Leandro de Souza stepped up, puffed out his cheeks and converted the penalty to make it 1-1. TUT were not deterred by the goal conceded, they pushed on trying to take the lead, but the visitors remained resolute, it went to the halftime break at a stalemate.
UWC Assistant Coach, Msekeli Mvalo made a substitution immediately after the break trying to reinforce his midfield to contain the opposition, and it worked, with the visitors remaining tight at the back. The match ended with the two sides sharing one point each.
Scorers:
TUT – Anda Yamile
UWC - Leandro De Sousa
FNB Player of the Match: Thuso Mlamla (TUT)
TUT: Luyanda Mandindi, Precious Mohale, Katlego Motlhale, Mnqobi Khumalo, Karabo Rangata, Anda Yamile, Thuso Mlamla (C), Menzukuthula Ntshangase, Swazi Kupa, Tebatso Manyane, Lesedi Khosi.
UWC: Leathan Croats, Damian Overmeyer (C), Somila Kostile, Jadan Zeeman, Shuaib Martin, Siyanda Mabadi, Arnold Dube, Leandro De Sousa, Ranieri Salvini, Qhayisa Lekata, Vuyani Ncontsa.
Fixtures HERE
Tickets HERE
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