Round four of Varsity Football produced the least goals of this year’s edition so far, despite many fans filling the stands at the four matchday venues. The Noble Men from the North-West University climbed to the top of the log after beating the Impi from UKZN. Record champions UP-Tuks collected their second successive win in injury-time thanks to a screamer by Mamelodi Sundowns starlet Ofentse Mashiane, while UJ and Kovsies, as well as TUT and Wits, could not be separated. 

Late ‘Pogba’ heroics see Tuks down VUT 

The Vaal University of Technology were facing the University of Pretoria at the Tuks Stadium, with the winner set for greener pastures on the log. VUT looked the livelier side for large parts of the game, keeping Tuks in their half but the game remained goalless until the 90th minute before Ofentse ‘Pogba’ Mashiane sent the fans of the Stripe Generation into ecstasy. The Tuks star, who is on the books of Mamelodi Sundowns, opened the scoreline with an absolute screamer from outside the box in the 90th minute. But the celebrations didn’t end there, as Ntokozo Madela put the icing on the cake and made it 2-0 for the record champions. With two wins from their last two matches, Tuks have climbed up the table to six points, while the Mavuti remained on just four points. 

FT score: VUT 0-2 Tuks 

Goals: 90’ 0-1 Ofentse Mashiane, 90+3’ 0-2 Ntokozo Madela 

Man of the Match: Ntokozo Madela (Tuks) 

NWU put more misery on UKZN  

The North-West University were hosting the winless University of KwaZulu-Natal at Mafikeng Stadium, hoping to get back to winning ways. They got off to the perfect start after Thabang Majoro scored through a header following a mistake at the back by UKZN in the fourth minute. NWU carried their slender lead into the break, but UKZN came out strongly after half-time. Following a host of set-pieces, UKZN were eventually rewarded when Malusi Mavundla netted the equaliser thanks to a powerful header following a corner in the 73rd minute. NWU captain, Tshepiso Mahlangu then took matters into his own hands, heading home a powerful effort in the 85th minute following an inch-perfect assist. The win took NWU to nine points on the log, while UKZN remained on just one. 

FT score:  NWU 2-1 UKZN 

Goals: 4’ 1-0 Thabang Majoro, 73’ 1-1 Malusi Mavundla, 85’ 2-1 Tshepiso Mahlangu 

Man of the Match: Banele Ntuli (UKZN) 

UJ & Kovsies share the spoils 

The defending champions, the University of Johannesburg were up against the University of the Free State at the UJ Stadium, with both teams sitting on six points ahead of the match. The Orange Army looked the better side, controlling most of the ball but struggled to turn their superiority into clear-cut goalscoring opportunities before the break. UJ continued their dominance in the second stanza, with Siyabulela Dlamini missing a great goal-scoring opportunity from 12 yards in the 63rd minute. UJ almost grabbed the three points in the third minute of injury-time but a header by substitute Nimrod Ofentse Ngema was denied by the post, while a few seconds later the Kovsies keeper prevented a certain goal with a brilliant save. The goalless draw sees both sides move to seven points on the log. 

FT score: UJ 0-0 

Goals: none 

Man of the Match: Thulani Zandamela (UJ) 

Wits hold leaders TUT to a draw 

The Tshwane University of Technology welcomed Wits University, hoping to cement their spot at the top of the log. TUT has been brilliant on the road, beating last year’s champions UJ as well as UKZN but failed to win their first home match against VUT. Thursday night’s clash was another tough home encounter as Wits were eager to add to their one point from the first three rounds. While many expected fireworks, it was a cagey affair at the TUT Stadium, as both sides struggled to break down the opposition defence. In the end, there was nothing to separate the two sides, as the Red Army picked up their second goalless draw at home and moved to eight points on the log, while the Educated Footballers earned their second point of the 2022 Varsity Football tournament. 

FT score:  TUT 0-0 Wits 

Goals: none 

Man of the Match: Matthew Welgemoed (Wits)