UP-Tuks notched their first Varsity Football victory when they beat a determined Wits outfit 2-0 in front of their home fans in Tshwane.
After going down 4-1 to TUT at home last week, Tuks produced a more clinical performance against Wits who fought hard despite suffering their second consecutive defeat.
The game got off to a tense start as possession changed hands quite often with both teams fighting hard for the ball.
The visitors were flying into tackles and looked threatening in their early forays into Tuks territory, but they were unable to trouble goalkeeper Tristyn Coetsee as most of their efforts flew wide.
Tuks found some rhythm and got a few shots of their own on target, but they were being shut down quickly by the committed Wits defence as the Johannesburg side looked to bully them off the ball.
However, the home side kept the pressure on and had Wits on the back foot with a number of corners before Mosa Sesele rose highest to head the ball powerfully past Wits goalkeeper Kgabisi Mohale and give them a 1-0 lead.
That prompted a response from Wits as they looked to hit back before half-time, but the Tuks defence stood up well and they took their 1-0 advantage into the break.
Wits started the second half with plenty of intent and took the game to their hosts, but they battled to find space in the attacking third as the Tuks defence swarmed on them.
The visitors were pressing high up the pitch as they looked for a way through, but time was slipping away as Tuks absorbed the pressure well.
Wits threw everything at Tuks in the final stages as they searched desperately for the opening that would let them back in the game, but it was not to be and Tuks came closest to scoring when Lawrence Ntwane hit the post with five minutes left.
However, there was enough time for Mbongeni Masilela to beat the offside trap and curl the ball into the goalmouth where it came off Wits defender Nelson Mwale before hitting the back of the net to wrap up victory.
FNB man of the match: Nii-Ordartey Mills
The scorers:
For UP-Tuks: Mosa Sesele
For Wits: Nelson Mwale (own goal)
UP-Tuks: 26 Tristyn Coetsee, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 12 Kenneth Matlala, 4 Mosa Sesele, 5 Lawrence Ntwane, 3 Claudio Barreiro, 17 Irvin Tshabalala, 18 Nicholas Ionnis, 10 Modiba Moeketsi, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 6 Kabelo Ramongane.
Reserves: 8 Nii-Ordartey Mills, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 23 John-Ross Kganane, 21 Pontsho Mohajane, 11 Richard Moremi, 19 Charles Gulwako, 7 Luke Steyl.
Wits: 1 Kgabisi Mohale, 3 Hope Munyai, 5 Marcus Lecki, 4 Nelson Mwale, 13 Tumelo Magethi, 12 Ntsika Ngcobo, 15 Muzimkhulu Nhlengethwa, 11 Neo Makua, 24 Tshepo Motsukunyane, 8 Phenyo Mongalo, 10 Zachary Cohen.
Reserves: 16 Minki Mtshali, 14 Sanele Njoko, 7 Keorpetse Molete, 2 Manuel Makafane, 22 Joseph Mushi, 23 Daniel Ferreira, 18 Innocent Magasela.
