The NMMU Madibaz maintained their unbeaten Varsity Football record with a convincing 4-1 victory over Wits in Port Elizabeth.
The Eastern Cape outfit were playing in their first home game of the season and they certainly made that advantage count as two goals in each half saw them wrap up their third victory over their campaign.
The Madibaz struck early with striker Leroy van Rensburg finishing off well to hand them the lead after just two minutes after a good attacking movement down the left.
Wits regrouped after that and took the game to their hosts, but they could not find the target as a header sailed over the bar and another long range attempt went wide.
The home side doubled their lead when Lindsay Stowman pounced on a fumbled ball from Wits goalkeeper Paulos Mohale to tuck the ball away, sending the crowd into wild celebrations.
Despite trailing 2-0 Wits refused to give in and their fighting spirit was rewarded when Tshepo Motsukunyane capitalised on a defensive error from NMMU to pull one back for the visitors.
However, the two-goal cushion was restored shortly after the break when Van Rensburg slotted a free kick from the edge of the box to make it 3-1 to the Madibaz.
NMMU were enjoying the majority of possession in front of an enthusiastic home crowd, but Wits were able to manufacture some opportunities of their own with a threatening free kick headed away by Niven Kops.
However, the Madibaz were to have the final say when Cornelius Matuoane pounced on a loose ball in the box after Mohale had fumbled a cross.
The victory sees NMMU stay in second place on the standings, just two points adrift of pace-setters TUT.
See times and channels for Varsity Football replays and live slots on SuperSport here http://www.old.varsitysportssa.com/varsity-football-supersport-slots/
FNB man of the match: Leroy van Rensburg
The scorers:
For NMMU: Leroy van Rensburg 2, Lindsay Stowman, Cornelius Matuoane
For Wits: Tshepo Motsukunyane
Teams:
NMMU: 16 Lyndsay Jennings, 20 Lundi Balfour, 5 Cornelius Matuoane, 22 Niven Kops, 19 Lukhanyo Sompondo, 6 Kurt Duff, 2 Lindsay Stowman, 17 Onneetse Leboifo, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 7 Leroy van Rensburg, 13 Vuoyolwethu Marele.
Reserves: 1 Mfundo Moyikwa, 21 Zukisani Mtendeni, 3 Andile Mtyingizane, 4 Peter Thekisho, 11 Kieran Koert, 25 Bradley Peterson, 9 Alexander Owusu.
Wits: 1 Paulos Mohale, 4 Nelson Mwale, 5 Markus Lecki, 13 Tumelo Magethi, 3 Fulufhelani Munyai, 15 Muzimkhulu Nhlengethwa, 10 Zachary Cohen, 24 Tshepo Motsukunyane, 11 Neo Makua, 17 Bandile Mathandela, 6 Tebogo Digoamaje.
Reserves: 19 Phiweyo Hlophe, 12 Ntsika Ngcobo, 2 Manuel Makafane, 9 Phuti Leboho, 18 Innocent Magasela, 7 Keorpetse Molete, 22 Joseph Mushi.
