Neighbours UKZN and UniZulu seemed destined for a draw before the women in black buried two stoppage time goals to win their Varsity Women’s Football opener, 2-0, in Potchefstroom on Thursday.
The match kick-off off in very hot conditions in the North-West town which played a role in the pace of the contest and the fact that a water break was necessary in both halves.
Despite UKZN creating half-chances for Danelle George, UniZulu should have been in the lead at half-time. Seven minutes into the contest, Nokuthula Nzama found herself through on goal, but couldn’t beat an on-rushing Zibuyile Speri.
UniZulu also had to manage niggles picked up captain Nokuphile Zobolo and Bonisiwe Zulu, but both continued on.
In the second half, UKZN were largely on the front foot and looked left to rue their own gilt-edged chance. In the 51st minute, Sphokazi Ngeleka fortuitously found herself bearing down on Nomcebo Mkhabela, but the UniZulu goalkeeper thwarted her by saving her effort.
Five minutes later Mkhabela went down injured to cue bizarre scenes. Having suffered a left leg injury the goalkeeper was stretchered off the field and replaced, not by a goalkeeper but by an outfielder. In the interim, defender Nelile Gulwa went off the field and change into Asanda Phungula’s goalkeeper kit and took Mkhabela’s gloves and place in goal.
She wasn’t called into action until a minuted in stoppage time when Ngeleka made up for her earlier wastefulness by beating the replacement ‘keeper when put through by star player Kholosa Biyana.
UKZN then added lustre two minutes later when Buyisile Khoza sidefooted into an open goal to seal the 2-0 win and claim the points in this Group A clash.
UKZN (0) 2 Siphokazi Ngeleka, Buyisile Khoza
UniZulu 0
FNB Player of the Match: Kholosa Biyana (UKZN)
Debonairs Pizza Real Deal Save of the Match: Zibuyile Speri (UKZN)
MTN Pulse Moment of Brilliance: Siphokazi Ngeleka (UKZN)
UKZN: 20 Zibuyile Speri, 2 Babalwa Mbali, 4 Danelle George, 5 Lungelo Ndlovu, 6 Buyisile Khoza, 7 Senelisiwe Jilajila, 8 Zinhle Mlaba, 10 Sphokazi Ngeleka, 15 Sithabile Dlamini, 19 Kholosa Biyana (captain), 24 Nonhlanhla Dlamini.
Replacements: 1 Zukiswa Ntinga, 11 Lungelo Mngwengwe, 12 Nontokozo Khumalo, 17 Noxolo Ngubane, 18 Sneziwe Nombika, 22 Lungile Mqadi, 28 Asanda Zulu.
Coach: Philani Dumakude
UniZulu: 20 Nomcebo Mkhabela, 2 Zanele Mthembu, 4 Nelile Gulwa, 8 Simthandile Khoza, 10 Nokuphile Zobolo (captain), 12 Nokuthula Nzama, 13 Zethembiso Khanyile, 14 Zonke Ngubane, 15 Lungile Mthembu, 17 Zanele Mchunu, 24 Bonisiwe Zulu.
Replacements: 1 Asanda Phungula, 3 Wendy Gule, 6 Nomfundo Mdletshe, 7 Kuhlekonke Nxumalo, 9 Jabulisiwe Biyela, 26 Thandeka Mkhwanazi, 27 Sphumelele Ngcobo.
Coach: Senzo Myeni
