With two rounds to go before the knockout stages, Varsity Football is getter better and better with each round. There is more controversy, drama and excitement in the field of play. The Premier Soccer League is back, but some of the Varsity Football crowd attendances are putting the PSL matches to shame. The PSL is struggling to put bums on seats, while Varsity Football seems to be getting it right. There are always lessons to learn with each round of matches and it was no difference as TUT and UWC concluded the fifth round of matches with an explosive six-goal thriller on Monday night.
UWC have run out of home matches
UWC are struggling to get the monkey of losing matches on the road off their back. They are known for being bad travellers and they are forced to qualify for the semi-finals the hard way as they have to travel to Pretoria and Joburg to face Tuks and UJ in their remaining two matches. All three of UWC’s wins have come at home and their two loses were suffered on the road. Losing their last two matches will not do them any favours but they are now forced to dig deep to make sure that they keep their top four ambitions alive. If the form books are to be believed, UWC will lose their matches against Tuks and UJ. Pity they no longer have home matches.
TUT against UWC is the game of the tournament
What a game! A six goal thriller! This match kept the fans on the edge of their seats it had everything and it was money well spent for the spectators. Oh wait, the tickets are free on the Varsity Sports app. The score was locked at 2-2 at half-time. This match produced the first hat-trick of the tournament as Themba Ndlovu found the back of the net three times and missed a first half penalty. It was not a one sided contest as expected before the match; UWC gave TUT a run for their money despite losing the contest 4-2. The Mother City based outfit hit the post and missed a couple of good chances too.
TUT goalkeeper Sikhumbuzo Ncube has butter fingers
Ncube is the right height for a goalkeeper at the tender age of 19, his future looks bright. But there is always a question mark in his performances. And on Monday night against UWC he turned himself into a laughing stock. His schoolboy errors nearly cost TUT the maximum points. He conceded unnecessary goals and made it worse by faking injury when he realised that he should have kept out the second goal – a looping harmless header that somehow found its way into the back of the net. A cut-and-paste header of the second goal was only prevented by the upright as he was caught snoozing once again in the second half. His comedy of errors even prompted the packed crowed to call for his immediate substitution. The man had a night to forget in goal and he walked away with the flop of the week award.
He did the same against Tuks but luckily TUT escaped from that match with a point in that 1-1 draw as he failed to deal with an aerial cross that led to Tuks’ goal. TUT goalkeeper coach has a lot to do in training as his consistent mistakes could cost them dearly in the knockout stages if their shot stopper does not improve between the sticks.
Tuks finally get their first win
It took forever to come but when it did it was worth the wait from a Tuks perspective. Their 4-0 demolition of Wits is what they needed to get their campaign off the ground. Hopefully they will continue where they left off in their next game against UWC. What would Varsity Football be without Tuks? For those who have forgotten, this is the most successful team in the history of the tournament and longevity in the competition is good for the sponsors and neutrals.
CUT did the unthinkable in Mafikeng
They were not given a chance to collect the maximum points in Mafikeng. But they turned the tables to come away with a surprise 2-1 victory over NWU. With performances like this CUT will stake their claim for a finish in the top half of the log. They will not be ignored after their heroic showing in the North West – a place that teams usually return from empty-handed. Well done to CUT.
Themba Ndlovu becomes the first player to score a hat-trick
He could have easily scored four goals had he not missed a penalty. But all three of his goals were well taken. His second, a powerful free-kick from an awkward angle, and his third a powerful shot that nearly ripped off the net. He is the top goal scorer with six goals and at this rate the red hot striker could reach 10 goals or more.
By Charles Baloyi – sports writer Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer
