UCT were made to rue missed chances as they slumped to their second defeat of the Varsity Football tournament after going down 2-1 to NMMU Madibaz on Monday evening.
The Cape side threw everything they had at their hosts in the second half of the match and will be left with a bitter taste in their mouth when they failed to convert their chances at goal.
The home side started the match with majority of the possession but couldn’t find a way through UCT’s defence.
The visitors started growing in confidence after 15 minutes and nearly took the lead but a powerful shot was blocked by the Madibaz defence.
UCT were content to sit back and allow the Madibaz to hold much of the first half possession as they looked to catch their hosts on the counter attack.
The Cape side’s defence was breached in the 29th minute when Sachin Jackson went on a run and his shot beat a helpless David Frankel to hand the Madibaz the lead.
The goal sparked UCT into life as the Cape side went on the attack to find an equaliser but they were unable to get through the Madibaz defence.
NMMU led 1-0 at halftime.
UCT’s Jeff Tikolo went on an early run down the left side of the field where he found Louis-Romain Moussi Sopp but the chance came to nothing.
Michael Salgado had an opportunity to claim his third goal of the campaign in the 62nd minute but he sent his header wide.
Byron Donaldson had a chance to get on the scoreboard in the 74th minute when he latched onto a Bryer free-kick but he sent his header over the crossbar as UCT looked to draw level.
The Madibaz doubled their lead against the run of play in the 80th minute when Kieran Koert found the back of the net with a header of his own.
UCT went on a late surge in the dying minutes of the match and were rewarded when Moussi Sopp managed to get a consolation goal for the visitors during injury time.
Despite conceding a late goal, NMMU held on to claim maximum points which lifts them off the bottom of the log.
FNB Man of the Match: Sachin Jackson
The goalscorers:
For NMMU: Jackson, Koert
For UCT: Moussi Sopp
Teams:
NMMU: 24 Lyndsay Jennings, 2 Lukanyo Stemele, 5 Athini Bisha, 16 Lundi Balfour, 13 Vuyolwethu Marele, 11 Kieran Koert, 6 Kurt Duff, 9 Lukhanyo Ndabeta, 15 Alexander Owusu, 17 Sachin Jackson, 22 Reginald Mabokane.
Substitutes: 1 Matthew Booysen, 8 Lukanyo Rasmeni, 12 Onela Beqezi, 4 Zukisani Mtendeni, 20 Litha Fingo, 21 Kevin Kevido, 19 Karabo Motlhabi.
UCT: 5 Gregory Bryer, 6 Byron Donaldson, 7 Jeffrey Tikolo, 10 Simangaliso Makalima, 11 Michael Salgado, 13 Steele Katzeff, 14 Jody Brown, 18 David Frankel, 20 Sepolo Taaso, 21 Jonathan Melamdowitz, 23 Warren Versfeld.
Substitutes: 1 Bevan Adonis, 3 Nkululeko Pitoyi, 8 Khotso Nare, 9 Louis-Roman Moussi Sopp, 19 Thamsanqa Malusi, 24 Kurt Allie.
Date: Monday, August 4
Kick off: 6pm
Venue: NMMU Madibaz Stadium
