A late goal from Lawrence Ntswane saw UP-Tuks snatch a dramatic 1-0 victory over NWU to book a home semifinal.
The match was a rematch of last year’s USSA final, and it was as tense as expected with both teams holding nothing back in a physical battle.
The result means that Tuks will host a semifinal next week whilst NWU will have to travel to Pretoria for their play-off.
The first half saw both teams climb into each other with the referee’s whistle dominating proceedings, and there was no separating the sides after the opening 45 minutes as they went into the break deadlocked at 0-0.
The cards continued to flow in the second half as both sides pressed for the winner and it was Ntswane who produced a moment of magic to silence the home crowd in the final stages of the match.
The big defender rose highest at a late corner and buried the ball into the back of the net to claim victory for his side.
FNB man of the match: Kyle Amon
The scorer:
For UP-Tuks: Lawrence Ntswane
Teams:
NWU: 98 Tebogo Mosia, 7 Sipho Mateis, 3 Kenneth Bodibe, 23 Tshenolo Machwisa, 21 Junior Leeuw, 5 Kyle Amon, 13 Zakhele Mashiyi, 15 Matsobane Matsi, 17 Sandile Mbatha, 20 Sylvester Moses, 10 Thabo Mnyamane.
Reserves: 45 Kagiso Modimoeng, 8 Shane April, 6 Luthando Ntokwenzani, 4 Xola Mlambo, Atang Khosa, 9 Abednigo Rantese.
UP-Tuks: 26 Tristyn Coetsee, 6 Kabelo Ramongane, 12 Kenneth Matlala, 19 Charles Gulwako, 5 Lawrence Ntswane, 3 Claudio Barreiro, 13 Sphelele Khuzwayo, 15 Jarryd van den Berg, 8 Nii-Ordartey Mills, 20 Tabo Ndlovu, 4 Mosa Sesele.
Reserves: 16 Sipho Masemola, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 11 Richard Moremi, 18 Nicholas Killas, 10 Moeketsi Modiba, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 9 Mbongeni Masilela. sunny scoops game by thunderkick
