North West University-Mafikeng (2) 2
University of Johannesburg (2) 6
THREE words: Outplayed. Outthought. Outmaneuvered.
That was the sorry story of North West University-Mafikeng, who were bliksemed black and blue 6-2 in their backyard by the free-scoring UJ on Monday.
The victory was an emphatic statement of intent by Mandla Zwane who made his debut as UJ head coach after taking over the reigns from Bradley Carnell. Mangethe, Zwane’s clan name, appeared to have brought with him some Madiba Magic as his team turned on the style on the birthday of the late former president Nelson Mandela.
Fans were enthralled in a highly-entertaining match played at an electrifying pace. The hosts spirited to a 2-0 lead in three minutes with successive strikes by Thapelo Tlabakwe and Sifiso Ngwenya. But the teams headed into the break deadlocked at two-all. Matthew Edwards reduced the deficit and parity came courtesy of a Tshepo Makgobela own goal when goalkeeper Amogelang Maduo committed an embarrassingly amateurish error when he completely missed the ball in a bid to clear.
Coach Zwane must have dished out higher grade pearls of wisdom during his half time team talk. His men returned to the pitch and fired in four goals without reply. Tshepo Tolo opened the second half floodgates. Edwards completed his brace. UJ displayed the strength of their bench when birthday boy Emmanuel Ndu came on and celebrated sharing his big day with Madiba, with a goal of his own. Fellow second half substitute Samuel Warder hammered the final nail in the coffin of the hapless hosts, completing a tennis scoreline that would have made Novak Djokovic proud.
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Zwane says his men are committed to turn the tears of losing the 2014 final to Tuks into cheers of joy in this year’s edition.
“The goal is to be crowned champions, but we will take it one game at a time,” said UJ’s new coach. “In our first attempt we lost to Tuks in the 2014 final. We want to play good football and win the cup. We just have to stay cool, humble and concentrate on each game.”
Zwane, who looks up to Mamelodi Sundowns coach Pitso Mosimane, the late Bafana Bafana assistant coach Thomas Madigage and newly appointed Manchester United manager Jose Mourinho, was happy with his substitutes.
“Our strength is on the bench. Ndu and Warder came off the bench and scored. I always tell the players that we are all in the game, whether in the starting 11 or coming off the bench. And it showed.”
Zwane, 43, was particularly pleased with Tebogo Mandyu who produced a man-of-the-match performance.
“He is one player who knows the pain of the defeat against Tuks in the final, and he’s eager to go all the way and get a gold medal this time around. He was out, injured between December and March. He is a humble boy who played in Brazil earlier on in his career as part of the Shosholoza team.”
More performances of similar nature may propel Mandyu to emulate Thabo Mnyamane, who won the 2013 Varsity Football player of the tournament. Mnyamane has gone on to represent Bafana Bafana and has recently been snapped up by SuperSport United, who are fortifying their squad for the upcoming Premier Soccer League 2016/17 season.
MEANWHILE, University of Fort Hare and Central University of Technology broke their virginity when they made their maiden appearances on Monday night. The Free Staters won the battle of the debutants, winning 2-0 via goals from Keitumetse Mabathoana and Cameron Chweu on either side of half time.
Anyone who believes Fort Hare will win this tournament is a resident of cloud cuckoo land.
On the strength of their disjointed showing, they have to undergo a complete transformation to be able to compete, let alone contend for the championship.
For their part, CUT made an explosive start to the game, producing a polished passing game pampered with bursts of pace in the right phases.
Click here for the fixtures to Round Two and current log standings.
By Bareng-Batho Kortjaas (BBK)
Sports Editor at Sunday Times
