Defending champions, TUT, won a tough away game 0-2 on a trip to the University of Johannesburg on Thursday night thanks to goals by captain Mogau Mphahlele and Thabiso Lebitso.
The 2016 Champions, TUT, travelled to the University of Johannesburg to have a replay of last year’s final, in Round Three of Varsity Football. It’s the hosts who were off to the perfect start, when Manqoba Luvuno had the first shot, flying just over the crossbar.
The pressing and high intensity UJ began with gave them good momentum and opened channels for the ever-running Shaune Mogaile. With fans cheering, Vusi Sibiya continued the solid defensive display, halting tricky crosses into TUT’s box. It was end-to-end stuff as Mogaile fired a shot, which deflected and went just over the corssbar.
In the second half it looked as though TUT had come up with a strategy, spreading the ball, passing into dangerous pockets. Thabang Makgwane and Lebitso combined very well going forward, while TUT picked up momentum.
The TUT captain, Mogau Mphahlele, encouraged his teammates like a leader does, and one could sense a goal coming. A long ball played by Rorisang Rapelang was flicked into the box by Lebitso and UJ conceded a penalty after a foul by Dane Fortuin. Confidently, TUT captain Mphahlele blasted the roof of the net to make it 0-1 to TUT.
All ten UJ players adding numbers to the front left them vulnerable at the back. TUT took the opportunity with Lebitso firing in a grass-cutter from close range to make it 0-2.
The goal fired the UJ Army up, but it was a little too late. Eventually a penalty was conceded by the visitors. Mabote stepped up with his shot saved to add to the UJ team’s misery. TUT left with three points in what was one of the most entertaining games of Round Three of Varsity Football.
FNB Player of the Match: Keabetswe Mokwena (TUT)
Samsung Best Shot: Mogau Mphahlele (TUT)
Scores
TUT: 2
Goals: M Mphahlele, T Lebitso
UJ: 0
Teams
UJ: Damaine van der Walt, Potoko Mametja, Kenneth Langa, Dane Fortuin, Given Msimango, Karabo Malete, Shaune Mogaila, Wade Rowe, Pogiso Mabote, Tebogo Mandyu, Manqoba Luvuno
Subs: Alan Mabuza, Hayden Slava, Sthembiso Manana, Andy Singo, Welcome Masemola, Thapelo Molefe, Ziyaad Fredericks
TUT: Sikhumbuzo Ncube, Mogau Mphahlele, Vusi Sibiya, Tumelo Mphela, Rorisang Rapelang, Lethabo Andy Mashifana, Thabang Makgwane, Keabetswe Mokwena, Lebogang Phatlane, Themba Ndlovu, Steven Mvenya
Subs: Kgaratlo Phatsoane, Thabiso Lebitso, Sello Omecious Ngoetjana, Letlhogonolo Letshwene, Thabiso Sibisi, Tebogo Lekaba, Tlotlo Mothibedi
By Jabu Mthombeni
