The University of Pretoria recovered from an early goal to score three of their own as they beat the University of the Western Cape 3-1 in the first Varsity Football semi-final at the Tuks Stadium on Thursday afternoon.
UWC got off to a perfect start as defender Clinton Herwel fired in from a deflected save to open the visitors’ account within a minute of the start of the match. UP-Tuks were left reeling from the shock of Herwel’s goal but the home team slowly found their mojo which allowed the University of Pretoria to put immense pressure on UWC.
A goal in under 1 minute!
What a start to #VarsityFootball semi-final 1! Tuks vs UWC. Clinton Herwel scores for @UWC_Footy. #ssfootball pic.twitter.com/uyCFqHcccF
— Varsity Sports (@varsitysportsSA) September 14, 2017
The men from Pretoria were rewarded for their attacking intent when forward Odwa Makha headed in a beautifully taken corner kick to draw level just before the half-time break.
The equalizer from Odwa Makha for @TuksSport. His second header against @UWC_Footy this week! #iyachesa!
Tuks 1 – 1 UWC#VarsityFootball pic.twitter.com/VtLq63OsEA
— Varsity Sports (@varsitysportsSA) September 14, 2017
UP-Tuks picked things up where they left them as defender Simbongile Njokwe made easy work of a wayward header to grab the lead just five minutes into the second half.
The second @TuksSport goal by Njokwe giving them the lead early in the second half.
Tuks 2 – 1 UWC#VarsityFootball pic.twitter.com/WOrdxDURR4
— Varsity Sports (@varsitysportsSA) September 14, 2017
There is little doubt that the home team were carried by their vocal supporters, who chanted and danced each time UP-Tuks gained possession or put in a good tackle on a splendidly warm afternoon.
Makha put the result out of reach for the Capetonians as he converted a penalty goal for the University of Pretoria in the 89th minute.
Odwa Makha gets his brace after converting a penalty goal for @TuksSport.
Tuks 3 – 1 UWC#VarsityFootball pic.twitter.com/zsRmvES4vt
— Varsity Sports (@varsitysportsSA) September 14, 2017
All that UP-Tuks had to do was simply run the clock down to bag yet another final appearance with the venue to be decided after the TUT and CUT semi-final.
FNB Man of the Match: Simbongile Njokwe (Tuks)
Samsung Best Shot: Claudio De Almeida (Tuks)
Score
UP-Tuks: 3
Goals: Odwa Makha (2), Simbongile Njokwe
UWC: 1
Goals: Clinton Herwel
Teams
UP-Tuks: Daylan Hawes, Katlego Motihatsang, Simbongile Njokwe, Ludumo Nkebe, Pierre Kok, Claudio De Almeida, Jurgen Booysen, Frank Mpedi, Siphesihle Sosibo, Sabelo Tsambo, Odwa Makha.
Subs: Athenkosi Jojo, Chinedu Okolo, Richard Moremi, Leonel De Mendonca, Clinton Mphahlele, Clement Malmone.
UWC: Renaldo Leaner, Thulani Mkosi, Jay-Dee Adams, Xolela Ndude, Chad Smith, Ayanda Nkunkwana, Josh Silent, Ryan Steer, Clinton Herwel, Xolisa Makubalo, Phiwokuhle Mphahlele.
Subs: Akhona Cawe, Garren Smith, Luke Vester, Aghmat Ceres, Giovanni Gaffoor, Clint Fredericks, Ryan Ramandh.
By Dan Lombard
