UWC continued their magical run in this year’s Varsity Football tournament when they beat NWU-Pukke 1-0 in Potchefstroom on Monday.
A goal by Ashwin Kounzie early in the second half proved enough in what was an entertaining game. The home side were made to rue the many missed chances they had in the game including a missed penalty. UWC are now three points clear at the top, while NWU-Pukke have dropped to third place.
NWU-Pukke were awarded a free kick early on after an aerial collision, but they could not make it count. UWC were not to be outdone by their opponents in that opening exchanges and showed some brilliant skills, but lacked accuracy in front of the goal.
Both teams had the same amount of possession in the opening 15 minutes, with UWC becoming more and more dangerous with the ball they were getting. Nhlanhla Manana had great chance to open the scoring in the 13th minute, but his shot was saved by NWU-Pukke keeper Mojalefa Magabe.
For NWU-Pukke it was that man Kagiso Pitso, who was causing all kinds of problems for the UWC defence. Pitso looked threatening on attack and seemed to have acres of space to work with.
Opportunities were aplenty for both teams in that first half with NWU-Pukke getting another chance near the half hour mark with a free kick, but Pitso’s ball could not be diverted into the goal.
NWU-Pukke had another great opportunity to score a few minutes later when Falakhe Ponoshe’s shot was saved by UWC captain Reon October. Not long after that the home side were then handed a game changing opportunity when they were awarded a penalty, but Thabang Matlhoko’s shot never troubled October.
The home side had one last chance in the half with a Patrick Lebitsa shot, however, both teams had to be satisfied being all square at the break.
UWC caught the NWU-Pukke defence napping at the start of the second half, but they could not find a way past Magabe. After a Ponoshe shot at the other end of the pitch, it was the Cape side who opened the scoring when Kounzie found the back of the net to give his team a vital lead.
NWU-Pukke changed things up after that goal by bringing on the dangerous Gontse Pitso in the final 30 minutes to try and help get an equaliser.
There was no let up on attack by both teams with the top of the table at stake and with less than 15 minutes left in the game NWU-Pukke had a great chance to make it 1-1, but Smangaliso Radebe missed with his shot.
UWC eventually held on for their fourth win, while NWU-Pukke suffered their second defeat of the season.
Samsung Super Striker: Ashwin Kounzie
FNB Man of the Match: Ashwin Kounzie
Scorers:
For NWU-Pukke: None
For UWC: Ashwin Kounzie
Teams:
NWU-Pukke: 32 Mojalefa Magabe, 16 Tumelo Mosimane, March Skosana, 23 Kutloano Nkwe, 5 Bonginkosi Mnyamane, 14 Smangaliso Radebe, 3 Falakhe Ponoshe, 13 Mosa Matshego, 7 Kagiso Pitso, 10 Thabang Matlhoko, 11 Patrick Lebitsa.
Substitutes: 1 Thembisile Chona, 21 Thabo Mokhele, 17 Evan Stegen, 20 Tebogo Monyebodi, 12 Katlego Sephakwe, 26 Tshepo Cebekhulu, 8 Gontse Pitso.
UWC: 1 Reon October (captain), 6 Akhona Bonga, 2 Marshall Jansen, Keenan Davis, 13 Ashwin Kounzie, 18 Thando Ziwele, 7 Thulani Mkosi, 20 Nhlanhla Manana, 19 Josh Silent, 10 Tapelo Sixishe, 14 Ayanda Nkukwana.
Substitutes: 16 Amanzo Jacobs, 17 Mfundo Majola, 8 Mubeen Mokrey, 22 Jason Brown, 15 Lwando Ngqwemla, 12 Phiwokuhle Mpalala, 25 Shakeel Sadien.
