Despite NWU’s exit, Varsity Football will have a representative in the second round of South Africa’s national cup thanks to VUT.
NWU, who claimed their maiden Varsity Football title in 2019, were pitted against Black Leopards in the Last 32 of the Nedbank Cup. Considering Leopards’ lowly position in the PSL’s Premier League, the Noble Boys would have backed themselves to push their hosts all the way.
As it happened, it was not to be for coach Karabo Masehela’s charges. Without their 2019 star men – Player of the Tournament Lindani Nkabinde, striker Mandisi Gadla and goalkeeper Luzuko Jevuka – who’ve all earned professional contracts, NWU fell to a 4-0 defeat in Thohoyandou.
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VUT, who are set to return to Varsity Football in 2020 after a five-year absence, left Dobsonville Stadium (where they hosted their match against Lamontville Golden Arrows) all smiles.
Stanford Nkoane’s men opened the scoring four minutes into the match through Takalani Mawelewele, but an own goal from Sibusiso Mokondo 11 minutes in saw Golden Arrows level the scores.
There was no change to the score for the rest of the first half. VUT had to dig deep in the second half and it seemed all for nought when Golden Arrows claimed the lead, through a Michael Gumede overhead kick, with five minutes left on the clock.
ALSO READ: VUT’s full match report
However, in a dramatic turn of events, Reitumetse Hlongwane buried a long-range shot in the 88th minute (past UKZN 2018 goalkeeper Sifiso Mlungwana) to level the score at 2-2 and take the game into extra-time.
VUT withstood a Golden Arrows’ best efforts in the added 30 minutes, including a disallowed goal, to set up a penalty shootout.
Undeterred, the fourth tier team got the better of the spot-kicks and emerged victorious, 6-5, and set up a bumper clash against Mamelodi Sundowns (on 23 February) in the Last 16.
By Carlo Jonkerman
