Malesela Chokoe scored a 92nd minute goal to clinch a 4-3 victory for VUT over WSU in Mthatha to keep their play-off hopes alive.
WSU let a lead slip on three occasions as they struggled to tighten things up in defence and allowed VUT back into the came to claim the dramatic victory, in a match characterised by hard tackles and stunning goals.
The home side struck as early as the second minute when Masonwabe Memani latched onto a loose ball outside the penalty area and let fly. The shot left VUT goalkeeper Eddie Kwalane stranded, as the stunning shot rocketed into the roof of the net.
WSU maintained their dominance for the opening quarter of the half but failed to add to their scoreline. VUT, on the hand, began to settle and created a few chances of their own but they could not find the target.
WSU looked fragile in defence and allowed VUT back in the game when Rudzani Nematandani’s strike found the head of the home side’s Zwide Nxumalo and lobbed into the net to leave Thando Sotyato flat footed in the WSU goal.
Sibabalwe Mayiyana got the home side back in front in the 31st minute with a brilliantly taken volley following a long ball and Memani flick. That joy lasted all of five minutes though, when Nematandani latched onto a Neo Mametela free-kick to head the ball home.
It took just six minutes into the second half for WSU to regain the lead when Mbongo Mqoqi reacted quickest to a low cross and squeezed the ball past Kwalane but the lead lasted just eight minutes when Malesela Chokoe got VUT back on level terms, thanks to a free header after beating the offside trap.
The match remained end-to-end with both sides having chances to take the lead as the score remained 3-all with 15 minutes remaining in the contest.
Memani could have sealed the win for the home side in the dying minutes but he failed to make the most of two chances within a minute of each other. He was made to rue those misses in the 92nd minute when Chokoe sniped his way through the WSU defence and fired home past Sotyato to stun the home fans.
FNB Man of the Match: Rudzani Nematandani
Samsung Super Striker: Masonwabe Memani
Scorers:
For WSU: Masonwabe Memani, Sibabalwe Mayiyana, Mbongo Mqoqi
For VUT: Rudzani Nematandani 2, Malesela Chokoe 2
Teams:
WSU: 1 Thando Sotyato, 19 Hlalanathi Makaula, 3 Zwide Nxumalo (captain), 4 Wonga Tengile, 12 Benathi Ngaka, 20 Ntokozo Nyikinya, 7 Mkhuseli Mfeketho, 8 Sibabalwe Mayiyana, 2 Nqobane Machi, 5 Masonwabe Memani, 10 Ludumo Nkebe.
Substitutes: 25 Zuko Mjame, 18 Lutho Scotch, 6 Zuko Ndamane, 24 Siboniso Shezi, 23 Mbongo Mqoqi, 15 Bonke Mbadlanyana, 21 Odwa Lose.
VUT: 1 Eddie Kwalane, 4 Mzwakhe Tshabalala (captain), 7 Thabiso Moshoaliba, 20 Phure Chochi, 13 Malesela Chokoe, 2 Tankiso Petsane, 21 Thabang Tsolo, 10 Neo Mametela, 11 Katlego Mohlala, 16 Rudzani Nematandani, 21 Gomolemo Jiyane.
Substitutes: 24 Nicholas Masuku, 22 Kgetsana Malakoane, 15 Lehlohonolo Makara, 8 Teboho Mollo, 17 Tumo Mafukama, 9 Kelvin Nkone, 12 Jabulani Nkomo.
