NWU-Pukke picked up their first Varsity Football win as they handed VUT a 2-1 defeat at the Isak Steyl Stadium in Vanderbijlpark.
The Potchefstroom outfit scored two early goals and then managed to hold off a relentless VUT side who have just one point to show for their two homes games in their debut season.
The visitors took the game to VUT from the outset and took an early lead when Tumelo Mosimane volleyed home from a corner to put them 1-0 up.
The home team regrouped and managed to build some pressure of their own as they went in search of an equaliser, but NWU-Pukke would be next to score and double their lead.
A deflected shot from Kagiso Pitso snuck in at the near post to beat the goalkeeper and put the visitors 2-0 up after just 22 minutes.
VUT threw number forward in search of a response, but they were caught offsides too often as the visitors held out well.
They managed to pull a goal back just before half-time as Kelvin Nkone slotted a left-footed shot home to reduce the deficit to 2-1 at the break.
The home side came out hard in the second half and pressed for an equaliser, which gave NWU-Pukke a few chances on the counter in an entertaining encounter.
The visitors managed to hold on to the ball and force VUT onto the back foot, and they had a good opportunity to stretch their lead with 10 minutes to play from a free-kick, but Patrick Lebitsa’s effort was beaten away.
NWU-Pukke were reduced to 10 men shortly afterwards when Falakhe Ponoshe was shown his second yellow card and sent from the field, but they managed to hold out and pick up a very valuable three points.
FNB Man of the match: Kagiso Pitso
Samsung Superstriker: Kelvin Nkone
Scorers:
VUT: Kelvin Nkone
For NWU-Pukke: Tumelo Mosimane, Kagiso Pitso
Teams:
VUT: 1 Eddie Kwalane, 4 Mzwakhe Tshabalala, 2 Tankiso Petsane, 13 Malesela Chokoe, 14 Gomolemo Jiyane, 10 Neo Mamatela, 12 Jabulani Nkomo, 20 Phure Chochi, 9 Kelvin Nkone, 11 Katlego Mohlala, 16 Rudzani Nematandani.
Substitutes: 24 Nicholas Masuku, 22 Isaac Malakwane, 8 Tebogo Mollo, 21 Thabang Tsolo, 17 Tomo Mafukama, 7 Thabiso Moshoaliba, 15 Lehlohonolo Makara,
NWU-Pukke: 32 Mojalefa Magabe, 16 Tumelo Mosimane, 20 Tebogo Monyebodi, 23 Kutloano Nkwe, 5 Bonginkosi Mnyamane, 14 Smangaliso Radebe, 3 Falakhe Ponoshe, 10 Thabang Matlhoko, 8 Pitso Gontse, 7 Kagiso Pitso, 11 Patrick Lebitsa.
Substitutes: 1 Thebisile Chona, 17 Evan Stegen, 6 Dumisani Nhlapo, 12 Katlego Sephakwe, 21 Thabo Mokhele, 13 Mosa Matshego, 18 Hlalefo Senoamali.
