UJ ended the round-robin stage of the Varsity Football tournament with a 1-1 draw against UL to cement their place at the top of the standings in their debut season.

 

The visitors started well and took the game to their hosts, attacking the UJ goal early on.

 

Both teams battled to get the upperhand in the first 15 minutes with some heavy tackles in midfield. UJ seemed to settle a bit and assert their usual dominance on their opponents.

 

The hosts had a crack at goal but goalkeeper Harold Ndhlovu stood his ground after 20 minutes.

 

Medics were later called onto the field to treat UJ defender Matthew Edwards, who went down injured after an aerial clash.

 

The home team turned the tide later in the first half and had another shot on goal, this time scrapping the top of the bar.

 

Goalkeepers Trent Harrison and Harold Ndhlovu were the heroes of the first-half as both teams went into the changing rooms with the match at 0-0.

 

UL came into the second half much like they did the first, giving UJ problems as they attacked relentlessly. Goalkeeper Harrison was called into action again as he made a save, clashing into a UL player and then requiring medical treatment.

 

It was end to end stuff as Ndhlovu was then forced into action, flicking the ball away as UL attacked his goal.

 

The visitors’ pressure paid when Clyde Kgatla awarded them with a brilliant goal, scoring from a free-kick from just outside the penalty area.

 

UJ equalised soon after though, when a goal-mouth scramble resulted in Taelo Mphahlele turning the ball into his net to make the score 1-1.

 

The rest of match proved to be highly-contested by both teams but the score remained the same and the match ended 1-1.

 

Super Striker: Karl Clements

 

Man of the Match: Pholoshi Bapela

 

UJ squad: 1 Trent Harrison, 16 Mduduzi Khumalo, 22 Wisdom Mathibula, 3 Elroy Mothibe, 23 Tebogo Mandyu, 21 Steven Sibanyoni, 5 Lerato Tleane, 15 Ompjile Majwafi, 18 Pontsho Nyathi, 8 Brian Monyonya, 9 Lumkile Dava, 19 Ruwell Jagger, 11 Tshepo Tolo, 7 Ruben De Frietas, 13 Sandro Claro, 19 Karl Clements, 2 Matthew Edwards, 6 Lwazi Nogenga

 

UL squad: 16 Harold Ndhlovu, 2 Ivan Tleane, 3 Rodgers Moletla, 24 Austin Dube , 13 Pholoshi Bapela (C), 22 Kgotlelelo Kgoete, 8 Blondy Mohale,  21 Samuel Mathabathe, 7 Clyde Kgatla, 19 Cyril Ndhlovu,  10 Vuledzani Chikhala, 17 Thapelo Kgaphola, 12 Taelo Mphahlele, 11 Thabiso Mamaila, 9 Theo Phophi, 5 Matsobane Kganyago, 4 Themba Chauke, 1 Jonathan Gole