Round 6 of Varsity Football brought clarity to the top of the table, with UJ and Wits both securing their spots in the semi-finals, while UFS and UP-Tuks kept their own hopes alive with routine wins elsewhere.
UJ 2-0 UWC
Log leaders UJ ground out a professional win over UWC to move to 16 points and confirm their place in the last four. A cagey first half saw UWC goalkeeper Zubeir Mohamed produce a string of fine saves to keep the scoreline blank at the break, denying UJ on three separate occasions.
The deadlock finally broke in the 55th minute when Yasidu Lifa pounced on a loose ball from a long throw-in that UWC failed to clear. Substitute Tumelo Machete added a second late on, finishing off a cutback from Sandile Nkosi with a fine left-footed strike, sealing UJ’s unbeaten run and their semi-final berth.
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TUT 0-2 Wits
Wits joined UJ in the semi-finals courtesy of a hard-fought win over TUT. Goalkeeper Lwando Mvinjana was called into action twice in the first half to keep TUT at bay, before Simangaliso Dlamini headed Wits in front from a corner just before the interval.
TUT pushed for an equaliser after the break, but Wits doubled their lead in the 76th minute when Moloko Kgatla converted from a slick one-two, sealing both the win and a place in the last four.
UFS 3-0 DUT
Defending champions UFS kept their hopes of reaching the semi-finals alive with a dominant win over 10-man DUT in Bloemfontein. Captain Jarome Jansen broke the deadlock just before half-time, having already seen UFS strike the woodwork three times.
DUT’s task got harder early in the second half when Zethembe Dlamini was sent off, and Ivense Mbhele took full advantage with a second-half brace to complete a comfortable win for the champions.
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UP-Tuks 3-0 UL
UP-Tuks stayed in contention for a semi-final spot with a comfortable win over bottom side UL. The game was goalless at the break despite chances at both ends, before Matome Rangata broke the deadlock with a superb free-kick early in the second half.
Substitute Sinalo Nyawose then teed up Risen Albert to double the lead, before fellow substitute Raymond Matlamela added a third in stoppage time to complete the win.
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Photo: Christiaan Kotze / Asem Engage
