Varsity Football Report: Wits 2-0 WSU 31 August 2015
Wits University booked their place in the semifinals after beating Walter Sisulu University 2-1 in Johannesburg. Second-half goals by substitute Graeme Dor and Saluleko Mathonsi completed a great comeback by the home side after Bonke Mbadlanyana put WSU in front in the first half. The home side had the game's first opportunity when Gift Baloyi's header went wide from a Wonderboy Frank throw in. Wit s dominated possession and territory in that opening spell with WSU relying on counterattacks. When WSU finally found their feet they had their chances, but could not find that finishing touch in the final third. After ten minutes both teams had equal opportunities at either side of the park. Wits upped the pace as the half went by and continued to wear the WSU defence down. Wits' Samkelo Thutshini had a chance close to the 20th minute, but his shot went over the crossbar. There was no let up from Wits and with the half hour mark approaching it was that man Baloyi again who spurned a great chance after a break by captain Hope Munyai. Despite being in the back foot it was WSU who found themselves in the lead when Mbadlanyana found the back of the net with a cracker. WSU took their slender lead into the half-time break. Wits went straight on the attack in the second half and continued to look threatening without any real punch. Baloyi found himself with just the WSU goalkeeper in front of him in that first ten minutes, but found the side netting with his shot. The home side were frantic in their search for an equaliser, but were denied on numerous occasions by Vuyile Manyala. With 25 minutes left to player Wits head coach Karabo Mogudi decided to bring on Graeme Dor for Aleksandar Kocic to boost their attacking threat. It proved to be an inspired substitution as Dor got the equaliser few minutes later to send the crowd wild. After missing all that chances Wits then found themselves amazingly in the lead soon after when Mathonsi got his team's second with a well-taken goal. It was a deserved win for Wits in the end as they moved to third position on the standings. It is also the first time they make the semifinal. Samsung Super Striker: Benathi Ngaka FNB Man of the match: Lyndon Crouch Scorers: For Wits: Graeme Dor, Saluleko Mathonsi For WSU: Bonke Mbadlanyana Yellow cards: Lyndon Crouch (Wits), Ntokozo Nyikinya (WSU) Teams: Wits: 1 Brylon Petersen, 8 Hope Munyai (captain), 5 Kaizer Maphanga, 3 Saluleko Mathonsi, 18 Samkelo Thutshini, 15 Muzimkhulu Nhlengethwa, 4 Aleksandar Kocic, 23 Lyndon Crouch, 7 Wonderboy Frank, 12 Phuthi Leboho, 9 Gift Baloyi. Substitutes: 25 Zawadi Dlamini, 6 Innocent Magasela, 17 Thabiso Rafanyane, 20 Sibusiso Nkosi, 14 Graeme Dor, 19 Jamie Adams, 24 Mahudu Seageng. WSU: 25 Vuyile Manyala, 10 Ludumo Nkebe, 3 Zwide Nxumalo (captain), 4 Wonga Tengile, 24 Siboniso Shezi, 20 Ntokozo Nyikinya, 7 Mkhuseli Mfeketho, 18 Lutho Scotch, 8 Sibabalwe Mayiyana, 5 Masonwabe Memani, 11 Lunga Nkula. Substitutes: 1 Thando Sotyato, 13 Siphesande Matoni, 6 Zuko Ndamane, 12 Benathi Ngaka, 14 Anele Ginya, 15 Bonke Mbadlanyana, 21 Odwa Lose.
