UP-Tuks cruised to a convincing 5-1 victory over Varsity Football newcomers Limpopo in Pretoria on Monday.
It was a clinical performance from the defending champions as they bounced back from a disappointing 4-0 defeat to UJ last week.
It was the third straight defeat for Limpopo who showed plenty of heart but are yet to register a win in their debut season.
Both teams were cautious from the outset, as they moved the ball around without really threatening in either penalty area.
The home side came close to opening the scoring when Sibongile Njokwe was given a free header from a corner, but he could not hit the target.
Limpopo had a great opportunity of their own from a counter-attack, but they were denied by a fine save from UP-Tuks goalkeeper Nicholas Stothard and it was the home side that would take the lead when big Botshelo Mfulwane headed home a well-weighted cross shortly afterwards.
The striker added another goal before long, as he headed home again following a dangerous ball into the box and some confusion amongst the Limpopo defence.
Limpopo hit back with a goal of their own from striker Clyde Kgatla who headed home a great cross to make it 2-1 at the half-time break.
The hosts got forward in numbers at the start of the second half, and the pressure eventually told when Sibongile Njokwe put them 3-1 up after Limpopo failed to clear a free kick.
Fullback Lindsay Stowman scored UP-Tuks’ fourth goal when he followed up on a loose ball after a good run from Mfulwane who had drawn the Limpopo goalkeeper off his line.
Limpopo pushed hard right until the final whistle, but the home side had the final say when Jeremiah Nkwana put one in the bottom right corner.
FNB Man of the Match: Lindsay Stowman
Samsung Super Striker: Clyde Kgatla
Goalscorers:
For UP-Tuks: Botshelo Mfulwane 2, Sibongile Njokwe, Lindsay Stowman, Jeremiah Nkwana
For Limpopo: Clyde Kgatla
UP-Tuks: 1 Nicholas Stothard, 3 Robin Swartz (captain), 8 Nicholas Killas, 15 Jarryd Van Den Berg, 4 Lawrence Ntswane, 10 Jeremiah Nkwana, 13 Lindsay Stowman, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 11 Richard Moremi, 5 Sibongile Njokwe, 2 Botshelo Mfulwane.
Substitutes: 32 Lebo Ngubeni, 17 Irvin Tshabalala, 21 Khumbulani Siluma, 23 Vuze-Umuze Khosa, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 14 Tebogo Galane, 9 Mbongeni Masilela.
UL: 1 Jonothan Gole, 2 Ivan Tleane, 6 Edgar Mafunisa, 24 Austin Dube, 13 Pholoshi Bapela, 5 Kganyago Matsobane, 7 Clyde Kgatla, 8 Blondy Mohale, 4 Themba Chauke, 18 Johannes Manamela, 11 Mahlatse Mogale.
Substitutes: 21 Samuel Mathabathe, 17 Nelson Ndhima, 3 Rodgers Moletla, 15 Tsietsi Tshehla, 10 Vuledzani Chikhala, 19 Cyril Ndhlovu, 16 Harold Ndhlovu.
