UP-Tuks ran rampant in their first Varsity Football away game, securing a resounding 4-0 victory over UFS in Bloemfontein.
The Pretoria side scored three goals in the second half, taking their opportunities well as the home side threw everything at them in a desperate attempt to find a goal.
The visitors made an encouraging start to the match, taking the game to UFS as an early free kick deflected away or a corner.
Mosa Sesele rose highest to nod the ball into the back of the net and give his side a vital 1-0 lead early on in the encounter.
The home side rallied after that early setback and unleashed a number of hopeful shots on the Tuks goal, but goalkeeper Tristyn Coetsee stood firm
UFS pressed hard in search of an equaliser, but they could not make the most of their opportunities up against the stern Tuks defence and went into the half-time break trailing 1-0.
Tuks started the second half with a bang when they were awarded a penalty after a UFS defender handled the ball in the box and Mbongeni Masilela stepped up to tuck the spot kick away.
This prompted the home side to make a few changes as they looked for a way back into the game, and they threw everything into attack in search of a goal.
They came close when a good cross from Lehlohonolo Ramolebo fell to Jarred Meyer, but he could not find the target as the Free State side’s woes in front of goal continued.
The attacking onslaught from UFS did not stop there as captain Ricco Sutil put a good free kick into the danger area, but it was hacked away to safety by the Tuks defence.
The Pretoria side had a few opportunities on the counter, with Masilela putting an effort wide, and eventually it was Claudio Barreiro who put a header into the top right corner to make it 3-0.
There was still time for one more goal as Tuks were awarded an indirect free kick after UFS goalkeeper Malefane Mokhachane picked up a back-pass, and Thabo Ndlovu slotted the opportunity to put the finishing touch on the victory.
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FNB man of the match: Kabelo Ramongane
The scorers:
For UP-Tuks: Mosa Sesele, Mbongeni Masilela, Claudio Barreiro, Thabo Ndlovu
Teams:
UFS: 1 Malefane Mokhachane, 2 Lehlohonolo Ramolebo, 3 Unathi Mabandla, 17 Jarred Meyer, 4 Thato Skaut, 20 Khotso Tjemolane, 6 Manxubandile Bantshi, 8 Ricco Sutil, 11 Simon Modupi, 10 Tshepo Sefatsa, 18 Ernest Mohloki.
Reserves: 16 Serasengoe Moodie, 15 Themba Zimo, 22 Christopher Makgoe, 13 Marothodi Phillies , 21 Elzandro Lewis, 5 Thuso Mpuang, 25 Lehlohonolo Mokoena, 12 Lekhaba Kaphe.
UP-Tuks: 26 Tristyn Coetsee, 6 Kabelo Ramongane, 12 Kenneth Matlala, 9 Mbongeni Masilela, 5 Lawrence Ntswane, 3 Claudio Barreiro, 13 Sphelele Khuzwayo, 15 Jarryd van den Berg, 10 Moeketsi Modiba, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 4 Mosa Sesele.
Reserves: 23 John-Ross Kganane, 14 Keegan Boulle, 16 Sipho Masemola, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 11 Richard Moremi, 18 Nicholas Killas, 8 Nii-Ordartey Mills, 19 Charles Gulwako, 7 Luke Steyl.
