UFS were rewarded for their tenacity with a 2-0 victory against Tuks on a calm Friday evening in Potchefstroom.
Tuks were in the ascendency from the get-go. The Pretoria outfit have been unlucky at the tournament, often dominating play, but failing to score. UFS keeper Cynthia Leeuw was kept busy early on.
But it was UFS who opened the scoring, somewhat against the run of play. Ntsamaeng Tsotetsi scored in the 28th minute, poking the ball into the bottom right corner to give her side the lead.
Tuks have done little wrong in the tournament and their fine play from deep, with Alexandra Michael pulling the strings and Lebogang Mabatle beating her marker down the right flank, continued. Michael had a free kick tipped over the bar on the half time whistle as the teams went into the break at 1-0.
Tuks had an opportunity early in the second half when substitute Lemile Groenewald was through on goal, but her shot was hit straight at Leeuw, who held comfortably. Tuks were awarded two free kicks on the edge of the box in close succession, but both Mabatle and Michael’s shots were blocked by the wall.
In the end it would be a round of opportunities gone begging for Tuks. They managed to pull one back in the dying minutes through a Vuyela Makhura penalty, controversially awarded when the referee deemed the ball to have hit the crossbar, while it seemed to have gone out of play before a UFS player caught it, thinking it was a goal kick.
UFS won the encounter 2-1.
FNB Player of the Match: Cynthia Leeuw
Scorers
Tuks: Vuyela Makhura
UFS: Ntsamaeng Tsotetsi, Lerato Moshoeshoe
Teams:
Tuks: Lebogang Mabatle, Andrea Sumaraj, Amilcar Thobejane, Zinise Norris, Temakwanati Mncina, Mahlodi Nchabeleng, Alexandra Michael, Tania Oliviera, Duduzile Qwabe, Vuyela Makhura, Moyahabo Monyemange
Subs: Anri Krugel, Lemile Groenewald, Sonia Shako, , Matlakala Mahowa, Khutso Mojadibe, Shannon Morgan
UFS: Cynthia Leeuw, Keamogetse Molale, Lerato Moshoeshoe, Zukiswa Bolsiek, Masekake Letuka, Mobashadi Marumo, Noxolo Magudu, Ashley Tsosane, Silindile Conco, Ntsamaeng Tsotetsi, Hatliso Lekoko
Subs: Karabo Mosime, Sthabile Motsa, Mantsadi Mdlalosa, Jermina Khoposa
