It was not the final day match which UP-Tuks would have wanted to play in, but they ended the tournament on a high by beating UKZN 4-0 to claim fifth in Potchefstroom.
The Stripe Generation dominated the entire match but had to be patient for their rewards as UKZN’s determined defence and wastefulness cost them.
It took all of 30 minutes for UP-Tuks to take the lead when Amilcar Thobejane broke the deadlock. It was to be the final significant moment of the first half before the players retreated to the changerooms.
It took all of 20 minutes of the second for UP-Tuks to double their advantage and Thobejane was again the player to do it, by notching her brace.
If UKZN had any hopes of mounting a comeback in the closing stages, those were extinguished when Morongwa Manamela and Duduzile Qwabe added gloss to the scoreline and seal the 4-0 win.
For UP-Tuks they’re left to rue what might have been, not least if their inspirational captain Thalea Smidt was not ruled out of the tournament (and longer) in their opening game.
UKZN 0
UP-Tuks (1) 4 Amilcar Thobejane 2, Morongwa Manamela, Duduzile Qwabe
FNB Player of the Match: Amilcar Thobejane (UP-Tuks)
Debonairs Pizza Real Deal Save of the Match: Katrina Maguire (UP-Tuks)
MTN Pulse Moment of Brilliance: Duduzile Qwabe (UP-Tuks)
UKZN: 1 Zukiswa Ntinga, 2 Babalwa Mbali, 4 Danelle George, 5 Lungelo Ndlovu, 6 Buyisile Khoza, 7 Senelisiwe Jilajila, 8 Zinhle Mlaba, 10 Sphokazi Ngeleka, 12 Nontokozo Khumalo, 15 Sithabile Dlamini, 19 Kholosa Biyana (captain).
Replacements: 20 Zibuyile Speri, 11 Lungelo Mngwengwe, 17 Noxolo Ngubane, 18 Sneziwe Nombika, 22 Lungile Mqadi, 24 Nonhlanhla Dlamini, 28 Asanda Zulu.
Coach: Philani Dumakude
UP-Tuks: 1 Mapaseka Mpuru, 2 Nicole October, 6 Tara Pemu, 12 Relebogile Phala, 9 Morongwa Manamela, 16 Kwenadi Makhwela, 7 Katrina Maguire, 18 Duduzile Qwabe, 13 Nomhle Skosana, 23 Amilcar Thobejane, 17 Alexandra Michael.
Replacements: 27 Mamello Lesesa, 8 Simamkele Tshuku, 14 Khanyisiwe Matiwane, 19 Shannon Morgan, 20 Octavia de Sa, 21 Moyahabo Monyemangena, 22 Luchandré McKenzie.
Coach: Maud Khumalo
By Bronwen Bain
