NWU made a big statement in the opening Varsity Football match with an emphatic 4-0 victory over Wits in Johannesburg.
The team from Mafikeng dictated matters throughout and marked themselves as one of the teams to beat in Varsity Football with a polished performance which saw striker Thabo Mnyamane grab a brace.
It did not take long for the visitors to strike as the quicksilver Luthando Ntokwenzani was brought down in the box by Wits defender Sanele Njoko who was shown a yellow card.
Mnyamane stepped up and coolly slotted the penalty to score the first-ever goal in Varsity Football and give his side a 1-0 lead.
NWU kept the pressure on and Junior Leeuw got on the end of a dangerous free kick but could only find the side netting.
Wits regrouped and created a few opportunities of their own, but the finishing touch eluded them as NWU swarmed on defence.
Ntokwenzani was causing all sorts of problems for the Wits defence down the right hand side and he delivered a cross which saw Wits goalkeeper Kgabisi Mohale clash in the air with big striker Otlaarongwa Rantese.
The game opened up as half-time approached, with both teams able to counter-attack, but Mnyamane’s goal-bound header deflected off a defender and NWU took their 1-0 lead into the break.
The visitors doubled their advantage early in the second half when Mnyamane latched onto a through-ball and lobbed the goalkeeper with a great little chip to make it 2-0.
Wits managed their first shot at goal after the hour mark, but the header from a corner missed the target as the home side continued to chase the game.
Mnyamane had a great chance to make it a hat-trick, but his shot went straight at the goalkeeper who did well to deny him.
However, the striker did not give in and went on a great run up the right to set up replacement Sandile Mbatha who slotted the easy goal.
But they were not done there and there was still time for Sylvester Moses to smash a stunning goal from outside the box to seal the 4-0 victory.
FNB man of the match: Thabo Mnyamane
The scorers:
For NWU: Thabo Mnyamane 2, Sandile Mbatha, Sylvester Moses
The teams:
Wits: 1 Kgabisi Mohale, 3 Hope Munyai, 5 Marcus Lecki, 4 Nelson Mwale, 13 Tumelo Magethi, 12 Ntsika Ngcobo, 15 Muzimkhulu Nhlengethwa, 11 Neo Makua, 24 Tshepo Motsukunyane, 17 Bandile Mathandela, 10 Zachary Cohen.
Reserves: 16 Minki Mtshali, 14 Sanele Njoko, 8 Phenyo Mongale, 7 Keorpetse Molete, 2 Manuel Mafakane, 22 Joseph Mushi, 23 Daniel Ferreira, 18 Innocent Magasela.
NWU: 16 Calvin Ntshudisane, 91 Xolani Mtshali, 7 Sipho Mateis, 21 Junior Leeuw, 9 Otlaarongwa Rantese, 24 Lebogang Phetlu, 8 Shane April, 15 Matsobane Matsi, 17 Sandile Mbatha, 6 Luthando Ntokwenzani, 4 Xola Mlambo.
Reserves: 3 Kenneth Bodibe, 20 Sylvester Moses, 5 Kyle Amon, 13 Zakhele Mashiyi, 11 Harold Manthatha, 10 Thabo Mnyamane, 14 Ryan van der Westhuisen.
