Wits will play in their first-ever Varsity Football semifinal after they recorded a 2-1 win over WSU in Johannesburg on Monday.
WSU looked certain to surprise the home side in the first half after taking the lead, however, goals by substitute Graeme Dor and Saluleko Mathonsi completed a great comeback in the second half for the home side.
Wits started the brighter of the two teams and were the dominant team in the opening minutes. Gift Baloyi had the game’s first attempt at goal, but his header went wide from a Wonderboy Frank throw in.
WSU had to rely on counterattacks for their forays into the Wits’ half and almost had the same number of opportunities in front of goal after the first ten minutes.
However, with a semifinal spot at stake Wits started to turn on the gas and were putting constant pressure on the WSU defence. Samkelo Thutshini almost got the game’s opener when his shot flew over the crossbar halfway through the half.
Baloyi had another great chance soon after but he could not find the target after a brilliant break by captain Hope Munyai.
WSU then silenced the home crowd when Benathi Ngaka fired in a shot to give his team the lead against the run of play. Wits tried to find an equaliser before half-time, but it was not be as WSU continued their dogged defence.
Just like in the first half, Baloyi had the first chance of the second half when he found himself in a one-on-one situation with the WSU keeper, but he could only find the side netting.
It was just chance after chance for Wits, but they struggled to find a way past Vuyile Manyala who was brilliant between the posts for WSU.
With no one able to bury the many chance, Wits head coach Karabo Mogudi turned to Graeme Dor on his bench to try and inspire something.
Not long after Dor miraculously found the equaliser before Mathonsi added a second a few minutes later to put his side in front with a great shot.
Wits eventually held on for the win as they moved to third position on the standings behind UP-Tuks on goal difference.
Samsung Super Striker: Benathi Ngaka
FNB Man of the match: Lyndon Crouch
Scorers:
For Wits: Graeme Dor, Saluleko Mathonsi
For WSU: Benathi Ngaka
Yellow cards: Lyndon Crouch (Wits), Ntokozo Nyikinya (WSU)
Teams:
Wits: 1 Brylon Petersen, 8 Hope Munyai (captain), 5 Kaizer Maphanga, 3 Saluleko Mathonsi, 18 Samkelo Thutshini, 15 Muzimkhulu Nhlengethwa, 4 Aleksandar Kocic, 23 Lyndon Crouch, 7 Wonderboy Frank, 12 Phuthi Leboho, 9 Gift Baloyi.
Substitutes: 25 Zawadi Dlamini, 6 Innocent Magasela, 17 Thabiso Rafanyane, 20 Sibusiso Nkosi, 14 Graeme Dor, 19 Jamie Adams, 24 Mahudu Seageng.
WSU: 25 Vuyile Manyala, 10 Ludumo Nkebe, 3 Zwide Nxumalo (captain), 4 Wonga Tengile, 24 Siboniso Shezi, 20 Ntokozo Nyikinya, 7 Mkhuseli Mfeketho, 18 Lutho Scotch, 8 Sibabalwe Mayiyana, 5 Masonwabe Memani, 11 Lunga Nkula.
Substitutes: 1 Thando Sotyato, 13 Siphesande Matoni, 6 Zuko Ndamane, 12 Benathi Ngaka, 14 Anele Ginya, 15 Bonke Mbadlanyana, 21 Odwa Lose.
