UJ books spot in Varsity Football final
THE Varsity Football semi-final matches played on 8 September both ended with penalty shootouts which led to Tuks and UJ making it through to the finals.
Newcomers, UJ, proved their football abilities during their debut year, and cemented their spot in the finals with an enthralling semi-final against UFS-Kovsies in Soweto.
With the match tied at 2-2 at the final whistle, UJ edged their hosts in a nail-biting penalty shootout, eventually winning by three penalties to one.
Two minutes into the match, the wing-back got the better of the goalkeeper, driving in a thumping shot to give UJ an early lead.
The one-nil lead seemed to give UJ confidence as they spent much of the first 10 minutes in Kovsies’ half.
Thirty minutes into the match, Kovsies seemed to gain some momentum going forward, but still failed to make any of their attacks count. They eventually found a way with Walter Phori pouncing on an opportunity to cross in from the left with a side-footed volley to equal the score.
After winning a free-kick, Marothodi Phillies bundled the ball into the back of the net during the second half, for UJ to concede from yet another set piece.
UJ then got back into the game when Ruben De Freitas found himself with a yard of space on the right in the 58th minute and whipped in a dangerous cross just behind the Kovsies defence for Kaylan More to bravely head in for the equaliser.
With the scores locked at 2-2, the referee blew for full-time and the players prepared themselves for a penalty shootout.
UJ’s Tshepo Tolo stepped up to take the first penalty and scored. Jay Jay Groenewald for Kovsies missed his shot, while Lumkile Dava scored for UJ.
Kovsies’ Lehlohonolo Mokoena scored with a cheeky chip down the middle, and Tebego Mandyu then scored for UJ.
Manxubandile Bantshi failed to beat UJ goalkeeper Mduduzi Khumalo.
Kaylan More could have won it for UJ, but sent his effort wide of goal. Kovsies’ captain, Themba Zimo, then stepped up to get his team back into it, but sent his shot over the bar for UJ to celebrate their win and a place in the finals next week.
UJ’s Sandro Claro was named Man of the Match.
