NMMU-Madibaz defied the odds to emerge 2-1 victors over log leaders UWC, to hand the Cape side their first defeat of the campaign in Port Elizabeth.
The Cape side looked flat on the field but the defeat did nothing to dent their log position as the Madibaz registered their first three points of the tournament.
It was all UWC in the opening exchanges and their dominance nearly reaped reward in the fifth minute when Thulani Mkosi broke through the Madibaz’ defence but his shot was well saved by Matthew Booysen.
The home side had Lonwabo Balfour to thank in the 13th minute when he reacted quickly to clear a Mkosi shot off the line after Booysen was beaten and the ball seemed destined to end in the back of the net in the 13th minute.
The game was turned on its head in the space of two minutes when the home side grabbed the lead completely against the run of play. Cloudius Sagandira pounced on a defensive error to hand the home side the lead in the 20th minute before Athini Bisha held his nerve inside UWC’s box to setup Achuma Klaas and the midfielder easily side-footed the ball into the net.
UWC hit back nine minutes later when Mkosi finally found the back of the net. He brought a Josh Silent ball under control with his chest and sent a shot into the roof of the net to reduce the deficit to a solitary goal.
The pace of the game slowed down somewhat in the second half as the Madibaz were happy to sit back and protect their lead. UWC continued to create scoring opportunities but a lack of composure in the final third saw them squander their chances.
UWC remained on the front foot into stoppage time and came within a whisker of grabbing the equaliser but were denied by the crossbar as NMMU managed to hold on for the win.
FNB Man of the Match: Athini Bisha
Samsung Super Striker: Thulani Mkosi
Scorers:
For NMMU-Madibaz: Cloudius Sagandira, Achuma Klaas
For UWC: Thulani Mkosi
Yellow cards: Onela Beqezi (NMMU), Cloudius Sagandira (NMMU), Karabo Mothlabi (NMMU)
Teams:
NMMU-Madibaz: 1 Matthew Booysen, 2 Onela Beqezi, 3 Lonwabo Balfour, 16 Lundi Balfour, 5 Athini Bisha (captain), 17 Achuma Klaas, 20 Zusakhe Sali, 19 Onke Matomela, 18 Simamkele Thobi, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 13 Karabo Mothlabi.
Substitutes: 25 Xola Fipaza, 7 Sachin Jackson, 6 Ekow Assan, 8 Fuzo Zantsi, 9 Chuma Mapuma, 15 Litha Fingo, 26 Ashton Reddy.
UWC: 1 Reno October (captain), 6 Akhona Bonga, 2 Marshall Jansen, 13 Ashwin Kounzie, 16 Amanzo Jacobs, 15 Lwando Ngqwemla, 7 Thulani Mkosi, 20 Nhlanhla Manana, 19 Josh Silent, 10 Tapelo Sixishe, 23 Ryan Steer.
Substitutes: 3 Keenan Davis, 22 Jason Brown, 17 Mfundo Majola, 14 Ayanda Nkukwana, 21 Chadwin Lotters, 12 Phiwokuhle Mpalala, 25 Shakeel Sadien.
