The NMMU Madibaz were forced to fight back to secure a tough 1-1 draw with UFS in their Varsity Football clash in Port Elizabeth.
The draw sees the Madibaz maintain their unbeaten run going into the knock-out phase of the competition, whilst UFS secured fifth position.
Both teams had early opportunities with Cloudius Sagandira shooting wide for the home side before a UFS free kick went close.
It was the visitors who opened the scoring when big striker JJ Groenwald turned the central defender and buried his shot in the bottom right corner to put them 1-0 up.
Kovsies kept the pressure on and Groenwald almost made it 2-0 before the break, but his shot went wide and UFS had to be content with a 1-0 lead at half-time.
NMMU came out firing in the second half as they desperately searched for an equaliser, but the UFS defence looked up to the task as they repelled a few attacking forays.
However, they could do nothing about a strike from Lukhanyo Rasmeni from the edge of the box which ended up in the back of the net to bring the scores level at 1-1.
Both teams made a few substitutions as they searched for the edge that would bring the winning goal, but in the end they had to be content with sharing the spoils.
The scorers:
For NMMU: Lukhanyo Rasmeni
For UFS: JJ Groenewald
Teams:
NMMU: 16 Lyndsay Jennings, 20 Lundi Balfour, 5 Cornelius Matuoane, 3 Andile Mtyingizane, 19 Lukhanyo Sompondo, 6 Kurt Duff, 17 Onneetse Leboifo, 8 Lukhanyo Rasmeni, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 25 Bradley Peterson, 13 Vuoyolwethu Marele.
Reserves: 1 Enver Vogel, 21 Zukisani Mtendeni, 12 Onela Beqezi, 11 Kieran Koert, 23 Chuma Fobo, 4 Peter Thekisho, 9 Alexander Owusu.
UFS: 3 Unathi Mabandla, 17 Jarred Meyer, 4 Thato Skaut, 20 Khotso Tjemolane, 6 Manxubandile Bantshi, 8 Ricco Sutil, 7 Phori Motsomai, 11 Simon Modupi, 15 Themba Zimo, 18 Ernest Mohloki, 9 JJ Groenewald.
Reserves: 1 Malefane Mokhachane, 2 Lehlohonolo Ramolebo, 16 Serasengoe Moodie, 23 Sandisile November, 13 Marothodi Phillies , 21 Elzandro Lewis, 25 Lehlohonolo Mokoena.
