An enterprising battle for fifth and sixth place between the University of Johannesburg and the University of Free State resulted in a 2-1 win for the ladies from Bloemfontein on a pleasant Saturday morning of Varsity Women’s Football action.
In the final match for both the University of Johannesburg and the University of Free State, neither wanted to take on the a road back home on losing note.
The match started at light speed with UJ opening the scoring in the fourth minute of the match with a rocket of a shot from Katlego Mabuza. Mabuza has been one of UJ’s stars of the tournament and once again underlined her quality.
Undeterred, UFS hit right back with a thunderbolt of their own, courtesy of Lerato Moshoeshoe who put her goal scoring shoes on for this match.
UJ had the better chances in the first half with nothing going to script for the ladies from Auckland Park. The crossbar was acting as a 12th player for UFS who were lucky not to go a goal down.
Football is a strange came and suddenly UFS took the lead right from under UJ’s noses with a goal out of nowhere from Zukiswa Bolsiek.
UFS held the lead going into the half time break and kept that lead in the second half through stubborn defence. UJ were getting desperate and pushed their players forward in the hopes of scoring a vital equiliser.
UFS stopped UJ’s threat and looked to threaten from the counterattack on the right through Sitabile Montso. The final passes in UJ’s half though let UFS down, who were primarily focused on defending their lead. The heat also sapped every bit of energy from the players, who with each missed chance grew more weary. Cynthia Leeuw was as solid as ever for UFS who denied UJ with a number of important saves in the final minutes.
In the end UJ could not find the net and UFS celebrated a fantastic win.
FNB Player of the Match: Keamogetse Molale (UFS)
Scorers:
UJ: Katlego Mabuza
UFS: Lerato Moshoeshoe, Zukiswa Bolsiek
Teams:
UJ: Dineo Magagula, Nonkosi Twayise, Lahliwe Majoro, Neo Matabologe, Rito Valoyi, Thato Letsoso, Chwayita Quwe, Katlego Mabuza, Nolwazi Mathebula, Precious Matabologa, Ntombizodwa Mokenela.
Subs: Yvonne Miya, Aphane Potso, Temoho Motsi, Oda Monyai, Pontsho Marutla and Koketso Ndaba
UFS: Cynthia Leeuw, Keamogetse Molale, Lerato Moshoeshoe, Zukiswa Bolsiek, Masekake Letuka, Mobashadi Marumo, Noxolo Magudu, Sthabile Motsa, Mantsadi Mdlalosa, Ashley Tsosane, Jermina Khoposa.
Subs: Silindile Conco, Ntsamaeng Tsotetsi, Karabo Mosime, Hatliso Lekoko.
By Wouter Pienaar
