Wits sink UFS in thriller as UJ continue fine form in Varsity Football Round 3

UJ remained top of the Varsity Football standings after defeating a struggling UL 2-0 in Soweto making three wins in three for the Orange Army. In Bloemfontein, Mxolisi Mthiya powered Wits to a crucial victory over defending champions UFS, condemning the Free State side to its third consecutive defeat. In the Tshwane derby, TUT and Tuks shared the spoils after playing to a 1-1 draw at Tuks Stadium, while UWC and DUT played out a goalless draw at UWC Stadium.

Wits have recorded back-to-back wins in the Varsity Football, with a strong second -half performance in Bloemfontein earning them a 3-1 victory over defending champions, UFS.

For UFS, what was a strong start to the third-round encounter ended in a third straight defeat.

The hosts were the first to score at Shimla Park after forcing Wits into a mistake in the 24th minute. Wits goalkeeper Reddel Duh fouled a UFS player in the box and Samkelo Nakedi calmly converted from the spot to give the hosts a 1-0 lead.

The joy was short-lived for the Free Staters, though, as Wits found a much-needed equaliser about 10 minutes later. The lanky Mxolisi Mthiya pounced on a loose ball inside the UFS area before unleashing a thunderous strike into the back of the net to level matters at 1-1 heading into the half-time break.

Wits took the advantage early in the second half with a stunning goal. Simangaliso Dlamini used his height to rise above the UFS defenders from a corner and head home a crucial goal.

That appeared to knock the wind out of UFS's sails, as Wits began to take greater control of the match.

While both sides created scoring chances, Wits were more clinical, and their relentless pressure eventually paid off when they landed the knockout blow in the 70th minute. A strike by Mthiya from outside the box found the back of the net to seal the victory, his brace, and secure all three points.

UFS will have plenty to ponder as they prepare to hit the road for the first time, travelling to Mankweng to face the University of Limpopo in the fourth round.

UJ secured a decisive 2-0 victory over UL in Round 3 of the Varsity Football tournament at UJ Soweto Stadium on Friday evening. The Orange Army maintained their flawless run, moving to 12 points while handing UL their third consecutive defeat.

The opening 45 minutes tested the referee’s authority as much as the players’ stamina. In an exceptionally physical battle, the official brandished three yellow cards before the interval for dangerous tackles, booking UJ’s Njabulo Jele and Tshepo Mosieleng, alongside UL’s Moyahabo Makwea.

Despite controlling the tempo and pinning the visitors inside their own half, UJ struggled to convert dominance into clear-cut opportunities. Their best opening chance came in the sixth minute when Elijah Banda unleashed a powerful strike but UL goalkeeper Mosa Mabitsela stood firm. The resulting goalless first half left the home crowd subdued.

The Orange Army shifted gears after the break, finding the clinical edge they lacked early on. Tshepo Mosieleng broke the deadlock in spectacular fashion. After UL failed to clear a loose ball, Mosieleng cushioned it on his chest and drove a precise, low left-footed strike from outside the box into the bottom-left corner.

The visitors launched a relentless pursuit for an equalizer, focusing their attack down the right flank through the blistering speed of Junior Matambo. However, UJ shot-stopper Bayanda Mkhonza produced a stellar performance between the sticks to keep UL at bay.

UJ sealed the victory deep in stoppage time. Sandile Nkosi whipped in a pinpoint cross from the left wing, allowing Mfundi Ngema to rise and cushion a header past Mabitsela.

The late strike triggered celebrations across the stadium as UJ wrapped up a hard-fought three points to keep their strong tournament momentum rolling.

The UWC team’s third match of the Varsity Football tournament against DUT was disappointing from all angles. The home side took the game to DUT from the first whistle but failed to create clear opportunities to score.

After camping in the visitors’ half for much of the first half, UWC had no goal to show for their dominance. On the few occasions when DUT threatened, goalkeeper Sekwanele Mtolo stood between UWC and victory, making several crucial saves to keep his team in the game.

The second half followed much the same pattern, with UWC huffing and puffing without producing any results. Realising that the home side lacked a cutting edge, the visitors grew in confidence and began to take more control of the match.

However, DUT also struggled to make inroads, with UWC’s tall defensive trio of Zamian Plaatjies, Imaan January and Malinga Mdodada keeping the visitors at bay.

For UWC, the 0-0 result represented a missed opportunity to climb the table. The team will now have to work harder to collect wins both home and away if they are to improve their position.

TUT locked horns with UP-Tuks in a fierce Tshwane derby with both sides desperate for wins. TUT welcomed Tuks with their tails high after beating defending champions UFS while Tuks came from a heavy home defeat against UWC.

With the sides deadlocked at the break, the clash did not spare any action from the first whistle. TUT enjoyed early possession and posed real danger to UP-Tuks defence.

Akani Rathokoa was a thorn to the Stripe Generation exploiting the wide flanks. Rathokoa fed the TUT attack with no success. The winger was the defining factor for TUT in front, finally broke out alone and saw his effort going wide. On the other end Matome Rangata tormented the TUT defence. Goalless at the break and both teams with questions but no answers.

The Red Army returned with clear purpose and immediately reaped off success with an early lead in the second half. Likho James headed home a perfectly delivered corner kick to put TUT in front.

Tuks searched for an immediate response, introducing explosive winger Risen Albert. The former SuperSport United attacker impacted play right away finding Ntokozo Madela in the box.

The experienced striker controlled and unleashed a thunderous strike in the far corner as Stripe Generation levelled matters. Both sides threw everything at each other in search of a late winner.

TUT goalkeeper Luyanda Madindi made two crucial saves in the dying minutes denying Madela and Samukelo Ngodela a chance to steal the show. TUT also posed threats with substitute Matsobane Chipane failing to control the ball in the box, however nothing materialized as it ended one-all at fulltime.