Walter Sisulu went to the top of the Varsity Football standings with a gutsy 3-2 victory over NWU-Pukke in Mthatha on Monday.
It was the first Varsity Football match for both teams, and despite a spirited performance from the visitors WSU did enough to claim a valuable win.
The match got off to a cagey start, with both teams feeling each other out without any clear-cut chances on either side.
NWU-Pukke started to get a foothold in the game and created the first real scoring opportunity, but the shot was sent over the bar to keep the visitors frustrated.
The visitors kept the pressure on and came close again, but WSU took the lead against the run of play from a deflected free-kick by Mkhuseli Mfeketho which brought the crowd to life.
WSU took their 1-0 lead into the half-time break, despite the fact that NWU-Pukke had looked the more impressive outfit in the opening 45 minutes.
The Potchefstroom side came out firing in the second half as they searched for an equaliser, but despite a period of pressure in which they had three corners they could not find a way through the stubborn WSU defence.
However, the home side managed to double their lead with Siphesande Matoni finishing off a counter-attack to double their advantage with 20 minutes left to play.
That shifted the momentum of the match, and it was not long before WSU were 3-0 up, with Mfeketho firing home for his brace.
NWU-Pukke refused to give in and pulled two late goals back through Thabang Matlhoko and Patrick Lebitsa who both scored from crosses from the right, but it was not enough as WSU held on to take the spoils and move to the top of the log.
FNB man of the match: Zwide Nxumalo
Samsung Super Striker: Mkhuseli Mfeketho
Scorers:
For WSU: Mkhuseli Mfeketho 2, Siphesande Matoni
For NWU-Pukke: Thabang Matlhoko, Patrick Lebitsa
Teams:
WSU: 25 Zuko Mjame, 4 Zwide Nxumalo, 18 Wonga Tengile, 2 Siphesande Matoni, 12 Benathi Ngaka, 13 Siboniso Shezi, 8 Ntokozo Nyikinya, 6 Zuko Ndamane, 5 Masonwabe Memani, 10 Ludumo Nkebe, 7 Mkhuseli Mfeketho, 15 Bonke Mbadlanyana, 17 Sibabalwe Mayiyana, 22 Lutho Scotch, 14 Mbongo Mqoqi, 20 Nqobane Machi, 3 Hlalanathi Makaula, 1 Thando Sotyato.
NWU-Pukke: 32 Mojalefa Magabe, 4 Njabulo Skosana, 20 Tebogo Monyebodi, 23 Kutloano Nkwe, 5 Bonginkosi Mnyamane, 14 Smangaliso Radebe, 3 Falakhe Ponoshe, 10 Thabang Matlhoko, 13 Mosa Matshego, 7 Kagiso Pitso, 11 Patrick Lebitsa, 1 Thebisile Chona, 17 Evan Stegen, 24 Tumelo Mosimane, 12 Katlego Sephakwe, 8 Pitso Gontse, 22 Johannes Mogorosi, 18 Hlalefo Senoamali.
