NWU-Pukke continued their winning streak after they thrashed NMMU-Madibaz 3-0 in Potchefstroom on Thursday.
Striker Patrick Lebitsa shone in the game with two goals and helping to create the third late on in the game. It was also NMMU’s third loss in four games this year.
Both teams took their time to get into the game with most of the play taking place in the centre of the field in the opening five minutes.
However, a crucial mistake by NMMU goalkeeper Matthew Booysen led to Pukke getting the game’s opener. Booysen seemingly gave Kagiso Pitso the ball from a poor clearance and the midfieder squared it for Lebitsa who scored.
Kagiso’s younger brother, Gontse, was also making a nuisance of himself when his shot from an acute angle was well read by Booysen in the 15th minute.
Soon after it was nearly a goalkeeping mistake at the other end of the park that gave NMMU a chance to get the equaliser, however, quick work by the Pukke defence saved the day.
The Madibaz grew in confidence as the half went on and it was Cloudius Sagandira who nearly got his team level after his low shot was well saved by Mojalefa Magabe.
Lebitsa continued to be a menace behind the Madibaz defence and in the 35th minute he must of thought he was about to get his team’s second before he was caught offside.
Pukke had one final opportunity to double their lead just before half-time, however Smangaliso Radebe’s shot went well over the Pukke goal. Madibaz head coach Graeme Harrison would have been concerned at the break after his best player Sagandira was stretchered off just before the sides went back into the change rooms.
The home side started the second half the better of the two teams and they probably thought they should have doubled their lead after Kagiso Pitso fired wide from right in front of the Madibaz goal.
Both teams continued the high tempo from the first half and it was Sagandira who had his team’s first opportunity of the half with a wayward shot.
The Port Elizabeth side then went to sleep in the 65th minute after they thought the ball had gone out of play. Pukke took advantage through Kagiso Pitso who gave Lebitsa enough time with a pinpoint pass to find the back of the net with a great shot.
Pukke felt there was no stopping them after that second goal and they played with more confidence. They were also close to adding a third on the counter with the Madibaz pushing more players forward.
Thabang Matlhoko eventually got his team’s third after he did well to get on the end of Lebitsa’s cross in the 88th minute.
Samsung Super Striker: Patrick Lebitsa
FNB Man of the Match: Kagiso Pitso
Scorers:
For NWU-Pukke: Patrick Lebitsa 2, Thabang Matlhoko
For NMMU-Madibaz: None
Yellow cards: Zusakhe Sali, Onela Beqezi
Teams:
NWU-Pukke: 32 Mojalefa Magabe, 16 Tumelo Mosimane, 20 Tebogo Monyebodi, 23 Kutloano Nkwe, 5 Bonginkosi Mnyamane, 14 Smangaliso Radebe, 12 Katlego Sephakwe, 8 Gontse Pitso, 7 Kagiso Pitso, 10 Thabang Matlhoko, 11 Patrick Lebitsa.
Substitutes: 1 Thembisile Chona, 13 Mosa Matshego, 21 Thabo Mokhele, 26 Tshepo Cebekhulu, 18 Hlalefo Pallo, 4 March Skosana, 3 Falakhe Ponoshe.
NMMU-Madibaz: 1 Matthew Booysen, 2 Onela Beqezi, 3 Lonwabo Balfour, 16 Lundi Balfour, 5 Athini Bisha, 4 Diego van Rooyen, 20 Zusakhe Sali, 8 Fuzo Zantsi, Chuma Mapuma, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 18 Simamkele Thobi.
Substitutes: 25 Xola Fipaza, 19 Onke Matomela, 6 Ekow Assan, 17 Achuma Klaas, 7 Sachin Jackson, 15 Litha Fingo, 12 Lusapho Mlangane.
