Absa Premiership

 

Result: Free State Stars 1-1 University of Pretoria

 

Date: 14 February 2015

 

Venue: Goble Park

 

Denver Mukamba cancelled out Danny Venter's strike to earn 10-man University of Pretoria a 1-1 draw with Free State Stars.

 

Moeketsi Sekola should have opened the scoring as early as the first minute, the striker latched onto a through-ball but could only fire straight at Washington Arubi.

 

Stars continued to pile on the pressure in the opening exchanges, as Richard Henyekane and Camaldine Abraw caused a few problems for the AmaTuks defence.

 

AmaTuks, meanwhile, got off to a slow start and struggled to deal with Stars' pace and passing for long periods of the first half.

 

Kinnah Phiri's men eventually took advantage of their dominance in the 31st minute, Abraw showed good strength before teeing up Danny Venter, who curled the ball into the top corner.

 

The visitors managed to level matters just before the halftime break, Denver Mukamba went on a surging run before rifling the ball past Glenn Verbauwhede minutes after Sekola squandered another chance for Stars.

 

Stars continued to dominate in the second half but were let down by some more poor finishing by Sekola yet again.

 

However, things took a turn for the worst in the 62nd minute for AmaTuks, as Siyabonga Ngubane was shown his second yellow card for an off the ball incident.

 

AmaTuks struck the woodwork twice in quick succession after 70 minutes, firstly Geofrey Massa's effort deflected onto the upright, before Parton Jaure rattled the other post with a powerful effort from distance.

 

Both sides searched for a winner in the closing stages but neither could find the back of the net and were forced to share the spoils.

 

Here's how they lined up:

 

Free State Stars: Verbauwhede, Mashego, Sankara, Rakoti, Cardoso, Kerspuy, Masehe, Sekola, Henyekane, Abraw, Venter

 

University of Pretoria: Arubi, Ngubane, Shoyisa, Monyai, Jaure, Mosadi, Ketjijere, Ntombayithethi, Mukamba, Massa, Nyondo