The University of Pretoria registered their first win of the season when they beat the University of KwaZulu-Natal 2-0 in Round Three of Varsity Football action at the Tuks Stadium in Pretoria on Thursday night.
It was a match that both teams needed to win in order to get their campaigns back on track and the men from Pretoria would have breathed a sigh of relief that they were able to take the three points on offer.
It would take half an hour before the scoreboard was effected by play as UP-Tuks’ Chinedu Okolo found the back of the net with a brilliant effort to put them a goal ahead.
UKZN were never out of the proceedings as they attacked with intent but the defending champions were steadfast in defence and took their 1-0 lead into the break.
The Durbanites struggled to contain a rampant UP-Tuks outfit who wanted nothing more than to add to one goal advantage and credit must be given to UKZN’s defence throughout the second half.
UP-Tuks did eventually break through and it was none other than their sharpshooter Richard Moremi who netted a stunner to hand his team a 2-0 lead in the 70th minute.
The Striped Generation opted to tighten their man on man defence and effectively parked the bus as they shut out UKZN in the final minutes of the match to claim a hard fought and well deserved 2-0 win in a cold and windy Pretoria.
Score
UP-Tuks: 2
Goals: Chinedu Okolo, Richard Moremi
UKZN: 0
Debonairs Real Deal Save: Giovanni Idi (UP-Tuks)
FNB Player of the Match: Chinedu Okolo (UP-Tuks)
Samsung Moment of Brilliance: Chinedu Okolo (UP-Tuks)
Teams
UP-Tuks: Giovanni Idi (GK), Siphesihle Sosibo, Simbongile Njokwe, Chinedu Okolo, Sabelo Tsambo, Claudio De Almeida, Katlego Motlhatsang, Lebohang Montueli, Jeremiah Nkwana, Richard Moremi, Nhlanhla Mabaso.
Substitutes: Athenkosi Jojo, Sithembile Ndimande, Wandile Dlamini, Tshimologo Huma, Kagiso Mabusela, Tototiana Andriamialy, Leandro Mendes.
UKZN: Sifiso Mlungwana (GK), Lungelo Dube, Percy Shongwe, Lungani Nhlengethwa, Siphamandla Nzuza, Lungisani Shange, Nqubeko Dlamini, Tholinhlanhla Zondi, Bongumenzi Zulu, Nkosinathi Sibeko, Xavier Sampson.
Substitutes: Thabani Ntokozo Dlamini, Conal Cone, Khumbulani Mbokazi, Anele Ngubane, Ziyanda Ndlovu, Sphesihle Mbonambi, Siyanda Nyembe.
By Dan Lombard
