UJ secure semifinal spot as Varsity Football heads into final stretch

Round 6 of Varsity Football delivered thrilling action, headlined by the Gauteng derby where UJ edged TUT 1-0 at the UJ Soweto Stadium to remain top of the log and secure a spot in the tournament semifinals.

UFS also claimed a hard-fought 1-0 victory over Wits at the Wits Stadium, securing second place on the standings. Meanwhile, NWU boosted their top four ambitions with a crucial win at the Harry Gwala Stadium, and UP-Tuks finally got their campaign rolling in style, cruising to a dominant 5-0 triumph over CUT at Tuks Stadium.

DUT 0-1 NWU

The match kicked off at a high tempo, with the ball moving quickly from end to end. Both teams showed great energy, but neither managed to find an early breakthrough.

This was until a few minutes later when DUT began to be sloppy at the back, making a lot of mistakes. In the 33rd minute, a defensive mistake by the home team's centre half saw Thapelo Letsholonyane advancing into the box as the away team fired a first shot at DUT goalkeeper Samkelo Zulu, who pulled off a good save. The ball rebounded to Thabang Majoro, who scrambled and managed to get a shot fired into the back of the net for the opening goal of the match.

The rest of the half was played with the majority of it being in the home team's half, as they couldn’t find a way out of their defensive zones. NWU kept on piling the pressure, but in the end, nothing came out of it. The halftime score was 1–0 to the away side, NWU.

As the second half got underway, both teams pushed to seize control and tilt the game in their favour, but the early stages after kickoff produced little to separate them. DUT’s defence remained vulnerable, showing signs of inconsistency with a number of errors, yet NWU were unable to capitalise, with no player stepping up to punish those mistakes.

The match continued to be similar to the end of the first half, as DUT failed to move forward, while NWU failed to successfully execute any of their chances in the goalmouth.

The match ended 1–0 to the away side NWU, who took a further step closer to a top four finish, while the home team was left with very little to smile about as they suffered yet another defeat despite a packed Harry Gwala Stadium rocking with their fans.

SCORERS

NWU: Thabang Majoro

Player of the match: Aphelele Sibisi (NWU)

TEAMS

DUT: Samkelo Zulu, Mluleki Mdunge, Xolani Mkhonza (c), Sifundo Ngema, Nkululeko Nkosi, Manqoba Mlele, Phiwayinkosi Mchunu, Thalente Mkhize, Manqoba Shange, Iviwe Sodidi, Ndumiso Khali.

NWU: Ethan Mokoena, Knowledge Muleya, Lucky Letwaba, Aphelele Sibisi, Lucas Seromo, Thapelo Letsholonyane, Thabang Majoro, Bokamoso, Ramoshoane, Momelezi Mngati, Khumoetsile Van SchalkWyk, Reatlegile Kgosithebe.

Wits 0-1 UFS

Wits Men’s Football entered the clash with three changes to their starting line-up, signalling their intent to shake things up in a must-win encounter. Both Wits and UFS Men’s Football were battling for second place in what proved to be a decisive fixture. For Wits, a victory was essential to strengthen their grip on a semifinal spot following back-to-back draws, while UFS came in looking to extend their winning run and secure qualification to the last four.

The match began with high intensity. In the 10th minute, Wits goalkeeper Lwando Mvinjana pulled off a massive save against Kagiso Semenya's long-range effort. At the 20-minute mark, the score remained 0-0. UFS defended with a low block, looking for counter-attacks, while Wits pushed forward. The Educated Footballers were awarded a free kick following a foul on Mduduzi Ndaba, but Kgwadi Molepo's header went wide. Mvinjana made another incredible save in the 23rd minute off a UFS corner.

The Blues broke the deadlock in the 37th minute through Omphemetse Matlhogonolo Athibeng, who finished off a brilliant cross from Ben Kraai.

In the second half, Wits pressed hard to equalise against UFS's 1-0 lead. The team made substitutions, with Mduduzi Ndaba taken off for Tebogo Masemola. Tebogo Masemola's involvement brought more stability to Wits, leading to increased box entries.

Despite Wits' frustration leading to defensive mistakes, Jerome Jansen's long-range free kick hit the woodwork, and Simphiwe Mabena's shot was saved by UFS goalkeeper Lethokuhle Makhaya.

Wits fought hard in the dying minutes of the game, but it was too late. They pushed hard in the nail-biting final minutes with added time, but couldn't convert their chances to equalise.

SCORERS

SCORERS

UFS: Omphemetse Matlhogonolo Athibeng

Player of the Match: Iviwe Dyabuza (UFS)

TEAMS

Wits: Lwando Mvinjana, Obakeng Leping, Kgwadi Molepo, Duane Bennett, Simphiwe Mabena, Karabo Tsoane, Prince Manku, Tumelo Nkwe, Mxolisi Mthiya, Kaihil Cloete, Mduduzi Ndaba.

UFS: Lethokuhle Makhaya, Ben Kraai, Philani Zondi, Kwethemba Ndlovu, Iviwe Dyabuza, Tshepo Ndlovu, Jose Mondi, Jarome Jansen, Omphemetse Matlhogonolo Athibeng Kagiso Semenya, Adolph Radingoana.

UP-Tuks 5-0 CUT

Raymond Matlamela shone as UP-Tuks Men’s Football finally recorded their first win of the season in a 5-0 thumping of CUT Men’s Football. With the calculators out, Stripe Generation welcomed CUT in a must-win encounter to keep their hopes alive.

With a playoff spot possibility at stake, the Pretoria-based side did not waste time to show their intentions as they immediately piled pressure on the visitors.

The home side dominated possession from the early stages of the match. After a couple of missed chances, Nic Stothard’s troops kept asking questions. Matome Rangata sent a pleasing pass into the box and found the head of Quintin Stokes-Waller, who was denied by the upright.

It was not long until their efforts were rewarded, and it was playmaker Matlamela with the answers. On the break, a long pass from Damian Overmeyer found the clean boot of Matlamela, who perfectly controlled and curled it in the far post to hand the home side their much-needed lead.

Tuks doubled their lead again as Matlamela got on the scoresheet. On the stroke of halftime, Matlamela scored with a slick goal of the tournament contender to hand Tuks a healthy lead at the break.

The Stripe Generation returned from the tunnel with renewed energy as they went on to score three more goals. Paballo Mamabolo and Mnqobi Mkhize were subbed in on the 60th minute and continued to rub salt into CUT’s wound.

Matlamela, sitting on a brace, managed to get an assist after setting up Paballo Mamabolo with an inviting through ball. Mamabolo made no mistake, putting the ball in the back of the net. Matlamela was not done as he went on to complete his hat-trick. Camagu Mdevulana dinked it over the defence and Matlamela put the ball into an open net for his hat-trick.

Mkhize wrapped up the party with a late tap-in, as Tuks put five behind CUT.

SCORERS

UP-Tuks: Raymond Matlamela (3), Paballo Mamabolo, Mnqobi Mkhize.

Player of the Match: Raymond Matlamela (UP-Tuks).

TEAMS

UP-Tuks: Leathan Croats, Atlegang Masemola, Edward Rankwe, Damian Overmeyer, Nkosana Shabalala, Camagu Mdevulana, Samukelo Ngodela, Matome Rangata, Raymond Tshwane Matlamela, Risen Albert, Quintin Stokes-Waller

CUT: Kananelo Sehebeng, Siyabonga Mzelem, Thabang Mokoena, Alwande Sibiya, Moeletsi Khumalo, Polokeho Letlema, Pogisho Dikole, Tshepo Lekoro, Tiisetso Mpholoana, Katlego Ramotete, Nkosingiphile Lubisi.

TUT 0-1 UJ

In a high-stakes clash of Gauteng rivals, the UJ Men’s Football clinched a crucial 1-0 victory against their long-standing adversaries, the TUT Men’s Football. The win came courtesy of a decisive 22nd-minute goal from Keletso Sekhwela’s volley in the box - a goal that proved to be the difference maker in this intense Varsity Football showdown.

From the opening whistle, TUT looked to dominate, pushing UJ deep into their own half with relentless pressure. But despite being on the back foot, the UJ Men's Football Team demonstrated tactical discipline, launching well-timed counterattacks that kept TUT's defence on their toes.

UJ's defence was solid, anchored by standout performances from Yasidu Lifa, Thabo Moshikere, and Ramaloko Ngwako. They were instrumental in thwarting TUT's advances, while UJ goalkeeper Kyle Van Rensburg also rose to the occasion to deny TUT a chance at goal with key saves.

This victory was especially sweet for UJ, marking a redemption of sorts against the team that crushed their title hopes in the 2023 final – the last time the two met in the tournament. This year, UJ has developed a reputation for clinical efficiency, scoring exactly one goal in each of their six Varsity Football matches so far – a trend that continued in this vital game.

The intensity of the rivalry was palpable. The crowd's emotions were a mirror of the action on the pitch: TUT supporters were silenced by their team's inability to find the net, while the UJ faithful, energised by the scoreboard, sang their hearts out. Tensions flared in the 19th minute when TUT appealed for a handball inside the UJ box, but the referee waved away their protests.

The game was a physical affair, with flying tackles and a high tempo that led to a share of yellow cards for both sides. TUT's Surprise Khoza was the first to be booked, while UJ’s Mkhonza also received a yellow card during his tireless work in the midfield, breaking up plays and keeping his team in control.

Despite TUT's overwhelming possession and constant pressure, their attacks ultimately amounted to nothing. The UJ defence held firm, and the final whistle blew with the scoreboard frozen at 1-0, a hard-fought win for the Orange Army.

SCORERS

UJ: Keletso Sekhwela

Player of the Match: Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza (UJ)

TEAMS:

TUT: Luyanda Mandindi, Lehlomo Tolo, Mekdiwe Ncenya, Surprise Khoza, Alan Moja, Sphesihle Mazibuko, Previos R. Mohale, Menzukuthula Ntshangase, Lucky Raphala, Lindokuhle Nyandeni, Zwonaka Malada

UJ: Kyle Van Rensburg, Thabo Moshikere, Bonolo Magoro, Yasidu Lifa, Ngwako Ramaloko, Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza, Sanele Mncube, Tshepo Mosieleng, Karabo Modisane, Tokoloho Vilakazi, Keletso Sekhwela.