TUT retained their Varsity Football ladies title when they handed UWC a 2-1 defeat in the final in Cape Town on Thursday.
The Pretoria side made good use of their opportunities to come out on top against a UWC side that had the home crowd right behind them.
The match got off to a tense start, with both team battling to assert their dominance and create clear-cut opportunities on goal.
The visitors opened the scoring in somewhat fortuitous style with a scuffed shot from Nthabiseng Sikhakhane spiining away from UWC goalkeeper Nhlamulo Mathebula to find its way to the bottom corner of the goal.
UWC’s Thembi Kgatlana was causing all sorts of problems for the TUT defence down the right wing as the hosts looked for a response.
However, despite testing TUT goalkeeper Thabile Malambe with a few long-range efforts they still went into the half-time break trailing 1-0.
TUT made a strong start to the second half in a bid to double their lead and give themselves a bit of breathing room as the crowd started to get behind the home side.
Kgatlana continued to be a thorn in TUT’s side with a number of searing counter-attacking runs, but her teammates were not able to take advantage as TUT held out.
However, it was not long before the home side were level as Kgatlana did it all on her own much to the delight of the crowd.
It did not take long for TUT to find a response as some sloppy defending from UWC allowed Phathutshedzo Makhodo to scramble the ball over the line to give her side the lead back.
That was enough to secure victory for the visitors, as although UWC pushed hard in the final stages it was not to be and TUT held on for the win and a second title.
FNB player of the match: Thembi Kgatlana
Samsung Superstriker: Phathutshedzo Makhodo
The scorers:
For TUT: Nthabiseng Sikhakhane, Phathutshedzo Makhodo
For UWC: Thembi Kgatlana
UWC: 1 Nhlamulo Mathebula, 6 Nomvuzo Mgoduka, 5 Vuyo Mkhabela, 12 Jade Koks, 24 Kayla Richards, 4 Nicole October, 3 Nelly Mamabolo, 7 Abongile Dlani, 16 Rachel Sebati, 9 Thembi Kgatlana, 8 Bongeka Jezile.
Substitutes: 13 Namhla Kantolo, 21 Lukhona Leni, 15 Nondumiso Nomatse, 23 Ameeda Naidoo, 10 Sonja Meyer, 20 Gracious Baloyi, 2 Carryn Cloete.
TUT: 1 Thabile Malambe, 4 Koketso Mahlangu, 13 Paballo Lepelle, 18 Phathutshedzo Makhodo, 17 Jienet Mohale, 7 Lebogang Rakhuduwe, 10 Maphuthi Manamela (captain), 6 Koketso Tlailane, 5 Bontle Chabaesele, 15 Kgomotso Mashilwane, 19 Nthabiseng Sikhakhane.
Substitutes: 25 Petronella Chiloane, 2 Thato Matlala, 3 Lancy Mopana, 9 Salome Dikgale, 11 Palesa Mohlabai, 12 Bontle Mashilo, 22 Cathrine Mokgobola.
