UJ remained top of the Varsity Football standings after seeing off a struggling UL side, while Wits produced a strong second-half turnaround to sink defending champions UFS in Bloemfontein. Elsewhere, TUT and UP-Tuks shared the spoils in the Tshwane derby, and UWC and DUT played out a stalemate.
UFS 1-3 Wits
UFS took an early lead through a Samkelo Nakedi penalty after Wits goalkeeper Reddel Duh conceded a foul in the box, but Wits hit back inside ten minutes when Mxolisi Mthiya pounced on a loose ball to level the scores.
Simangaliso Dlamini headed Wits in front early in the second half, and Mthiya completed his brace with a strike from outside the box in the 70th minute, condemning UFS to a third consecutive loss and a first away trip of the season, to Limpopo, in round four.
UJ 2-0 UL
A tightly-contested, physical first half produced three yellow cards but no goals, with UL goalkeeper Mosa Mabitsela denying Elijah Banda UJ’s best early chance.
UJ found their breakthrough after the restart, Tshepo Mosieleng finishing a low strike from outside the box, before Mfundi Ngema headed home a stoppage-time cross from Sandile Nkosi to seal a 2-0 win and move UJ to 12 points from three matches.
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UWC 0-0 DUT
UWC dominated territory without ever truly testing DUT goalkeeper Sekwanele Mtolo, who made several key saves to keep the hosts out.
DUT grew into the game as the match wore on but couldn’t find a breakthrough either, with UWC’s defensive trio of Zamian Plaatjies, Imaan January and Malinga Mdodana standing firm as the match ended goalless.
TUT 1-1 UP-Tuks
A goalless first half in the Tshwane derby gave way to a lively second period, with TUT’s Likho James heading home a corner to put the Red Army ahead.
UP-Tuks responded through Ntokozo Madela, who finished clinically after good work from substitute Risen Albert, before TUT goalkeeper Luyanda Mandindi made two late saves to preserve a share of the points.
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Photo: Asem Engage – Hannes Naude
