UWC claimed their first Varsity Football title as they came from behind to beat TUT 2-1 in the final in Cape Town on Thursday.
Two second-half goals saw the home side prevail at the ‘Operation Room’ where they have gone unbeaten this season.
The visitors made a determined start to the game and took the game to the hosts who found themselves on the back foot from the outset.
It did not take long for TUT to strike as Masonwabe Sokanyile buried an early free kick which left UWC goalkeeper Reon October standing to put his side 1-0 up.
UWC had an opportunity to level things up from a free kick of their own shortly afterwards, but Phiwokuhle Mpalala could not hit the target after meeting a deep ball at the back post.
Sipho Sibiya from TUT claimed the first caution of the match after a reckless challenge on UWC’s Marchello Viglino as the home side went in search of a response.
The second card of the game came before long, and it was UWC’s Keenan Davis who went into the referee’s book on the half-hour mark.
TUT had the wind at their backs and they controlled the rest of the half to take their 1-0 lead into the half-time break.
UWC came out hard in the second half as they sought to work their way back into the game in front of the partisan crowd.
Ryan Steer had a great opportunity to level the scores when he had a free header at the back post, but the UWC striker could not find the target.
Despite that they had their goal before long as Keenan Davis scored with a header from a corner to send the crowd into raptures.
UWC coach Salie Adams brought on big striker Josh Silent and it paid off in the best possible way as he found the back of the net from a tight angle to give his side the lead.
TUT threw everything into attack in a desperate attempt to find a late equaliser, but it was not to be as UWC held on for their first title in front of their home crowd.
FNB Player of the match: Tapelo Sixishe
Samsung Superstriker: Masonwabe Sokanyile
Scorers:
For TUT: Masonwabe Sokanyile
For UWC: Keenan Davis, Josh Silent
Teams:
UWC: 1 Reon October (captain), 2 Marshall Jansen, 3 Keenan Davis, 6 Akhona Bonga, 7 Thulani Mkosi, 10 Tapelo Sixishe, 12 Phiwokuhle Mpalala, 13 Ashwin Kounzie, 18 Thando Ziwele, 19 Josh Silent, 23 Ryan Steer.
Substitutes: 9 Marchello Viglino, 14 Ayanda Nkukwana, 15 Lwando Ngqwemla, 16 Amanzo Jacobs, 20 Nhlanhla Manana 21 Chadwin Lotters, 25 Shakeel Sadien.
TUT: 1 King Ndlovu, 17 Thabang Motau, 3 Khomotso Ledwaba, 15 Phineas Raphela, 5 Elliot Seema (captain), 6 Sipho Sibiya, 10 Itumeleng Mogotsi, 13 Thabang Mahlangu, 9 Themba Ndlovu, 12 Masonwabe Sokanyile, 2 Thabang Masitengv
Substitutes: 20 Lloyd Morulane, 4 Rorisang Rapelang, 7 Selby Madibana, 16 Tshepo Simelane, 18 Mogau Mphahlele, 23 Sidney Seromo, 8 Thato Santos.
