Tournament newcomers UJ thought they had secured victory over UWC thanks to a late strike from Wisdom Mathebula at the UWC Stadium.
However, this was not to be as Wade Crowie saved the home side from defeat through a phenomenal free kick in the dying seconds of the match.
It was a close encounter in the opening exchanges as tournament newboys UJ dominated the possession stats but were held at bay by UWC.
The Joburg students had an early set piece but were kept at bay through an acrobatic save from UWC’s Reon October.
It was all UJ until the 36th minute when UWC was awarded a penalty. Tapelo Sixishe stepped up to hand the hosts a 1-0 lead when he fired an unstoppable shot into the top right corner.
The goal seemed to spark the home side into life as Thulani Mkosi nearly doubled their lead but his effort was denied by the woodwork.
UWC held a slender 1-0 lead at halftime.
The home side set about dominating possession in the early minutes of the second half in an effort to maintain their lead.
However, once UJ settled into their rhythm they put the UWC defence under pressure but the home side stood firm.
The pressure from UJ paid off when Stephanis Sibanyoni levelled the score in the 77th minute after toe poking the ball into the net despite a fantastic double save by UWC’s goalkeeper October.
It was all UJ from then on as the men from the north went all out to find the winner.
The match sparked into life in the dying minutes of the game. UJ thought they had grabbed a late winner when Wisdom Mathebula scored to hand the visitors a 2-1 lead.
However, their joy was short lived when Wade Crowie slotted a stunning free kick in the final seconds of the match to secure a 2-2 draw and save UWC from defeat.
FNB man of the match: Reon October
Samsung Super Striker: Wade Crowie
Goalscorers:
UWC: Sixishe, Crowie
UJ: Sibanyoni, Mathebula
Teams:
UWC: 1 Reon October, 20 Kuhle Mpahlwa, 13 Keenan Davis, 24 David Morgan, 5 Cleo Pokpas(c), 6 Akhona Bonga, 7 Thulani Mkosi, 2 Vuyani Baloti, 12 Phiwokuhle Mpalala, 10 Tapelo Sixishe, 14 Ayanda Nkunkwana.
Substitutes: 4 Dane Samaai, 22 Zuhlume Sinuka, 19 Chad Smith, 17 Josh Silent, 16 Siphosethu Pitoyi, 9 Curley Beukes, 15 Wade Crowie.
UJ: 1 Trent Harrison, 22 Wisdom Mathebula, 21 Grant Bruchhausen, 2 Matthew Edwards, 5 Lerato Tleane, 14 Karl Clements, 23 Tebogo Mandyu, 11 Tshepo Tolo, 7 Ruben De Freitas, 13 Sandro Claro, 18 Ponshu Nyathi.
Substitutes: 16 Stuart Peverett, 6 Lwazi Nogenga, 3 Ruwell Jagger, 20 Stephanis Sibanyoni, 17 Jarred Abrahams, 15 Omphile Majwafi.
