UJ remain top of the Varsity Football table despite being held to a 1-1 draw by defending champions UFS, as the race for the semi-finals tightened across the rest of the division.
UJ 1-1 UFS
A blustery, wet afternoon in Soweto produced a game shaped almost entirely by penalty decisions. UFS dominated the opening period but were denied from the spot when goalkeeper Bayanda Mkhonza saved Jerome James’s 43rd-minute effort.
UFS were awarded a second penalty late on, and this time their own goalkeeper stepped up, beating Mkhonza with a powerful strike to make it 1-0.
UJ hit back within three minutes, winning a penalty of their own after Tshepo Mosieleng was fouled in the box, which Koketso Mathidza calmly converted to salvage a point.
Wits 2-1 UP-Tuks
Wits held off UP-Tuks to move into the semi-final places, despite finishing the game with ten men. Prince Manku pounced on a goalkeeping error to open the scoring inside four minutes, before an own goal levelled things for the visitors soon after.
Tebogo Masemola restored Wits’s lead early in the second half, and despite Tshimologo Mokae’s 78th-minute red card, Wits held on for the win.
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DUT 2-3 TUT
TUT came from behind twice to edge a five-goal thriller at Harry Gwala Stadium. Lucky Raphala opened the scoring before Awande Buthelezi levelled for DUT, and Akani Rathokoa restored TUT’s advantage after the break.
DUT fought back again, but Ntshuxeko Mkhabela settled it with a stoppage-time penalty.
UWC 1-1 UL
Bottom side UL came within three minutes of a first win of the season, having led through Mahlatse Selowa’s first-half goal and defended resolutely throughout.
UWC finally found a way through in the 87th minute, as substitute Zamian Plaatjies won a penalty that Luphuno Zini converted to rescue a point for the hosts.
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Photo: Christiaan Kotze / Asem Engage
