In what was billed to be the match of Round Four, the game between UFS-Kovsies and UJ lived up to the hype as they played out to a dramatic 2-2 draw.
UJ will head back home the happier of the sides as they managed to walk away with a valuable point after playing majority of the match with 10-men.
The match started at a frantic pace as both sides tried to get an early goal and settle into the match with possession being fairly balanced.
UJ had an attempt at goal in the 15th minute when they were awarded a free kick on the edge of Kovsies’ box but the attempt was comfortably dealt with by Kovsies captain Themba Zimo who kept the visitors at bay.
Simon Modupi had a chance to put the hosts ahead in the 18th minute but he couldn’t keep his shot down as it went sailing over Mduduzi Khumalo’s goal.
Kovsies were starting to dictate play and had another chance in the 26th minute after an excellent build-up but Walter Phori’s attempt was tame and didn’t trouble the visitors.
The home side was awarded a penalty in the 36th minute after UJ captain Grant Bruchhausen handled the ball in the 18-yard area. Lehlohonolo Mokoena stepped up and made no mistake to hand his team the lead after easily beating Khumalo in goal.
Bruchhausen saw yellow for the handball and was soon heading back to the change room as he remonstrated with the referee which left the visitors with a mountain to climb.
Kovsies went into the break with a 1-0 lead.
The second half started much like the first as both sides went in search of an early goal.
It was the visitors who would draw level in the 66th minute when a deflected shot by Sandro Claro found its way into the Kovsies net.
The goal sent the match into a frenzy as Manxubandile Bantshi struck a minute later to hand the lead back to the hosts as he bundled the ball into the net.
UJ were back in the match when Lwazi Nogenga’s header beat Serasengoe Moodie in Kovsies’ goal and got the visitors back on level terms.
Both teams went in search of the winner in the latter stages of the match but neither could find the back of the net and both sides had to settle for a point.
FNB Man of the Match: Ruben De Freitas
Samsung Super Striker: Lehlohonolo Mokoena
The goalscorers:
For UFS: Mokoena, Bantshi
For UJ: Claro, Nogenga
Teams:
UFS-Kovsies: 1 Serasengoe Moodie, 4 Marathodi Phillies, 13 Tsoeu Mphezulu, 19 Jarred Meyer, 20 Dumisani Tjomelane, 15 Themba Zimo, 10 Simon Modupi, 11 Lehlohonolo Mokoena, 7 Walter Phori, 24 Dylan O’Brien, 6 Manxubandile Bantshi.
Substitutes: 3 Unathi Mabandla, 2 Khauhelo Kholotsa, 16 Lehlohonolo Thaele, 14 Glen Rikhotso, 12 Kakudi Moreleba, , 9 Jay Jay Groenewald, 23 Mongezi Mologovane.
UJ: 16 Mduduzi Khumalo, 22 Wisdom Mathebula, 21 Grant Bruchhausen, 6 Lwazi Nogenga, 5 Lerato Tleane, 23 Tebogo Mandyu, 11 Tshepo Tolo, 7 Ruben De Freitas, 13 Sandro Claro, 18 Pontsho Nyathi, 17 Karl Clements.
Substitutes: 1 Trent Harrison, 2 Matthew Edwards, 9 Lumkile Dava, 19 Ruwell Jagger, 4 Isaac Mnguni, 20 Steven Sibanyoni, 15 Omphile Majwafi.
Date: Monday, August 11
Kick off: 18:00
Venue: Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
