Last week, defending champions UJ claimed their first home win of the 2022 Varsity Football edition, beating NWU 2-1 to climb to the top spot on the log, thanks to goals by Thulani Zandamela and Gerald Ndlovu.
It was after the 30th minute when Zandamela, also known as “Rasta” because of his dreadlocks, found an opener with a header from a cross ball by Thanda Madiba to finally hand UJ their first home goal.
“I’m very happy for our first home win against NWU and pleased with the boy’s performance after a goalless draw against TUT,” Zandamela told Varsity Football.
“We hope to continue giving our fans good results to ensure that we make it to the semifinals.”
After scoring in the first stanza, Zandamela continued his dominant display in the second half against the former leaders, impressing with many touches in the opposition half and five shots at goal.
Overall, Zandamela has had five goal contributions for the team already, scoring three goals and collecting two assists but he is aiming at 10 a piece – 10 goals and 10 assists, as he previously told Varsity Football.
”I am very pleased with my performance but there’s still room for improvement,” he added.
He is not just the fan’s favourite, but the numbers also back him.
He scored with both his left and right foot and twice with a header, being currently one of the contenders for the 2022 Varsity Football Golden Boot as well as the Player of the Tournament, with both awards being won by UFS Kovsies striker Sello Diphoko last time around.
Zandamela and the Orange Army are back in action on Thursday when they meet VUT at UJ Stadium and could potentially already secure their semi-final ticket.
The match at the Soweto Campus kicks off at 18:30. You can get information on how to get tickets here.
By Gontse Hlophe.
