Wits, UJ and NWU claim Varsity Football victories

The second round of the Varsity Football 2025 campaign produced thrilling results, with Wits claiming their second win of the tournament, a 2-0 triumph over DUT at Wits Stadium. UJ secured a late 1-0 victory in Bloemfontein against UFS, while NWU captain Aphelele Sibisi’s decisive header ensured a win over CUT. Meanwhile, the Tshwane derby ended in a draw, with both teams sharing the spoils.

In front of a packed stadium, the Wits Men’s Football team capitalized on their home advantage to control the full 90 minutes, making just one change to their starting line-up as Kamohelo Mofokeng stepped in for Thabo Mphaki.

The hosts secured their second win, announcing their strong comeback in the competition picking where they left off following their impressive 4-1 thrashing of CUT last week. Wits played with high intensity, forcing their opponents to make mistakes. Prince Manku scored a stunning goal in the dying minutes of added time in the first half, striking a beautiful shot from outside the 18-yard area with an assist from Tebogo Masemola to ensure they went into half-time leading 1-0.

In the second half, DUT took control of the midfield, demonstrating their strength and skill. They pressed relentlessly for a goal, sustaining high intensity and keeping constant pressure on Wits.

However, they failed to break the solid defense of the hosts, despite Phiwayinkosi Mchunu's shot on target. DUT's desperation for a goal was in vain, even after making tactical changes with Lungelo Pillay coming in for Mchunu in the 80th minute. Although Pillay made an impact, helping his team shake Wits' defense and earn set-pieces, they couldn't convert them into goals.

The momentum shifted in Wits’ favour when Masemola doubled their lead with a well-built finish, courtesy of a precise cross from the goalkeeper, sealing the win for the Cleverboys. With this victory, Wits solidified their position, showcasing their strength and determination on the field while keeping a clean sheet with goalkeeper Lwando Mvinjana making some crucial saves.

NWU Men’s Football secured a hard-fought win against CUT thanks to a decisive second-half header from captain Aphelele Sibisi. The match kicked off with both sides showing intent but it was NWU who looked more threatening in the opening stages.

Despite creating several clear chances, the home side was unable to find the back of the net in the first half, with their best efforts denied by CUT’s disciplined defending.

After 26th minute NWU maintained the upper hand, dominating possession and pressing high but the half-time whistle came with the scoreline locked at 0-0.

The breakthrough finally came in the 57th minute after a well delivered cross from the right flank found Sibisi in the box and the NWU captain made no mistake, as he found the back of the net. The home side managed the game well in the final stages, controlling possession and slowing the tempo when needed.

NWU secured all three points, continuing their strong momentum in the competition.

UJ Men’s Football snatched a late winner in Bloemfontein on Thursday to edge the UFS Men’s football at Shimla Park in round two of Varsity Football.

It was striker Keletso Sekhwela who sealed the victory deep into stoppage time, rising to the occasion and finding the back of the net from a corner right at the death to bag all three points for the visitors.

The first half saw both teams probing each other’s defences but it was UJ who showed their intent from the very first whistle. Within seconds of kick-off, they had already carved out the first scoring chance of the match. Most of UJ’s entries into the box came from set-pieces, while UFS looked more dangerous from open play especially down the right flank, where Samkelo Nakedi kept asking questions of the UJ backline.

That pattern continued right up until the break, with the sides heading into half-time deadlocked at 0-0.

In the second stanza, UJ’s Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza unleashed a cracking effort on goal but UFS goalkeeper Lethokuhle Makhaya produced a brilliant fingertip save to push the ball over the crossbar. It wasn’t the last time Makhaya was called into action, as UJ began creating more chances. Eventually, the pressure told in the 93rd minute when Sekhwela delivered the decisive blow.

Rivals UP-Tuks and TUT played out a goalless draw in front of a packed Tuks Stadium. The two Varsity Football heavyweights clashed in the Tshwane derby, with Tuks aiming for their first win of the season and arch-rivals TUT looking to extend their perfect start.

The Stripe Generation started like a house on fire throwing the first stone with fast counterattack play causing TUT defence to go deep. Matome Rangata and Risen Albert commanded the flanks interchanging and sending in crosses targeting the tall Quintin Stokes-Waller. Samukelo Ngodela was presented the first golden opportunity of the night, however the Tuks’ Varsity Football 2024 top scorer booted it over the posts.

Tuks’ defense was caught napping, failing to clear their lines, while Menzukuthula Ntshangase missed a chance to give his side the lead, sending the ball wide. Both teams headed into the break frustrated, with the score remaining 0-0 at half-time.

In the second half, TUT began to assert themselves, pressing Tuks’ defense in search of a breakthrough. Varsity Football 2024 winner with UWC, Leathan Croats, was consistently in the thick of the action, making crucial saves to keep Tuks in the game.

TUT looked dangerous on set-pieces winning free-kicks in pleasing areas however their efforts were dealt with by Tuks shot stopper. The story of could haves and should haves continue for Nicholas Stothard’s charges as they kept knocking with no answers, as they started creating chances in the dying moments of the game.

Substitute Mathuane Selotola’s late strike was disallowed for an offside. Tuks kept knocking with Rangata’s long throws, the last one resulting in corner kick which saw TUT failing to clear the ball. Selotola was alone in the box, slotted it in however the flag went up. The Tshwane derby ending in a goalless draw.