UWC surprised title holders UP-Tuks with a 2-1 win in Cape Town, where the hosts left it late to reignite their hopes to lift the Varsity Football trophy this season.
The visitors got the match off to a good start on Monday night, shocking their hosts with a goal after just seven minutes of play.
UWC goalkeeper Reon October was caught unaware after a cross from UP-Tuks captain Lawrence Ntswane went in over his head.
October tried parried the ball away, but the home side’s defence failed to clear their lines and Jeremiah Nkwana was quickest to react, giving UP-Tuks an early lead.
The home team put pressure on the Tukkies defence and Ntswane found himself booked after a dangerous tackle to prevent a UWC attack ten minutes in.
UWC’s Wade Crowie showed some sterling class dominating in midfield with some good passing and runs at the UP-Tuks defence, but failed to find a way through.
Defender Lindsay Stowman was cautioned as the half drew to a close after bringing down striker Curtley Beukes outside the penalty area. The hosts failed to take advantage of the free-kick.
The title holders showed their class in defence to hold off UWC’s attacks and went into the break with a 0-1 lead.
UWC started the second half in the fashion, attacking UP-Tuks with all they had. Their hard work eventually paid off when Tapelo Sixishe scored the equaliser directly from a corner. UP-Tuks struggled to cope as the gale-force wind playing its part for the hosts.
The Cape students continued to take the game to the title holders with two attempts on goal going wide.
The hard work eventually paid off for the hosts, who kept their best for last with a stunning goal as Reza Zain Dramat won the match for the Cape Town students with a glorious volley from a corner.
The home team walked away 2-1 winners as they bagged their first home victory this season.
Super Striker: Wade Crowie
Man of the Match: Thulani Mkosi
Goalscorers:
For UWC: Sixishe, Dramat
For UP-Tuks: Nkwana
UWC: 1 Reon October, 4 Dane Samaai, , 23 Jason Brown, 6 Achona Bonga, 3 Robin van Rensburg, 13 Johnson Maluzane, 15 Wade Crowie, 7 Thulani Mkosi, 19 Chad Smith, 20 Kuhle Mpahlwa, 9 Curtley Beukes
Substitutes: 12 Phiwokuhle Mpalala, 16 Siphosethu Pitoyi, 10 Tapelo Sixishe, 14 Ayanda Nkunkwana, 20 Kuhle Mpahlwa, 8 Nxumalo Mxolisi
UP-Tuks: 32 Lebo Ngubeni, 4 Lawrence Ntswane (C), 8 Nicholas Killas, 13 Lindsay Stowman, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 10 Jeremiah Nkwana, 11 Richard Moremi, 5 Simbongile Njokwe, 15 Jarryd Van Den Berg, 9 Mbongeni Masilela, 2 Botshelo Mfulwane
Substitutes: 1 Nicholas Stothard, 21 Khumbulani Siluma, 16 Dylan Paterson, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 18 Lucky Mathosi, 23 Vuze-Umuze Khoza
