The second round of the Varsity Football 2025 campaign produced thrilling results, with wins for Wits, UJ and NWU while the Tshwane derby ended in a draw, with both teams sharing the spoils.
Wits 2 – 0 DUT
In front of a packed stadium, the Wits Men’s Football team secured their second win, announcing their strong comeback in the competition and picking up where they left off following their impressive 4-1 thrashing of CUT last week. The hosts played with high intensity, forcing their opponents to make mistakes. Prince Manku scored a stunning goal in the dying minutes of added time in the first half, striking a beautiful shot from outside the 18-yard area. In the second half, DUT took control of the midfield, demonstrating their strength and skill. They pressed relentlessly for a goal, sustaining high intensity and keeping constant pressure on Wits but could not convert. The momentum shifted back in Wits’s favour when Masemola doubled their lead with a well-built finish, courtesy of a precise cross from the goalkeeper, sealing the win for the Cleverboys.
Scorers:
Wits: Prince Maku, Tebogo Masemola.
Player of the Match: Kgwadi Molepo (Wits)
Teams:
Wits: Lwando Mvinjana, Obakeng Leping, Kgwadi Molepo, Tebogo Masemola, Simphiwe Mabena, Karabo Tsoane, Prince Manku, Tshepo Mothiba, Mxolisi Mthiya, Kaihil Cloete, Kamohelo Mofokeng.
DUT: Sekwanele Mtolo, Luyanda Ntuli, Xolani Mkhonza, Sifundo Ngema, Nkululeko.Nkosi, Sbonelo Ngidi, Kwanele Vilakazi, Phiwayinkosi Mchunu, Bonga Mthembu, Iviwe Sodidi, Ayanda Kunene.
NWU 1 – 0 CUT
The match kicked off with both sides showing intent, but it was NWU who looked more threatening in the opening stages. Despite creating several clear chances, the home side was unable to find the back of the net in the first half, with their best efforts denied by CUT’s disciplined defending. The halftime whistle came with the scoreline locked at 0-0 before the breakthrough finally came in the 57th minute after a well delivered cross from the right flank found Sibisi in the box, and the NWU captain making no mistake. NWU secured all three points, continuing their strong momentum in the competition.
Scorers:
NWU: Aphelele Sibisi.
Player of the match: Momelezi Mngati (NWU)
Teams:
NWU: Ethan Mokwena, Knowledge Muleya, Lucky Letwaba, Aphelele Wandile Sibisi, Lucas Seromo, Pascual Tivane, Thapelo Letsholonyane, Momelezi Mngati, Xalani Masethi, Ranonyane Mmutlane, and Reatlegile Kgosithebe.
CUT: Siseko Faku, Thabang Mokoena, Siyabonga Mzelem, Khotso Mphene, Alwande Sibiya, Polokelo Letlema, Tiisetso Mpholoane, Tshepo Lekoro, Boeletsang Restoration Rar,Mzwakhe Shabalala.
UFS 0 – 1 UJ
The first half saw both teams probing each other’s defences, but it was UJ who showed their intent from the very first whistle. Within seconds of kick-off, they had already carved out the first scoring chance of the match. Most of UJ’s entries into the box came from set-pieces, while UFS looked more dangerous from open play especially down the right flank. That pattern continued right up until the break, with the sides heading into half-time deadlocked at 0-0. In the second stanza, UJ’s Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza unleashed a cracking effort on goal, but UFS goalkeeper Lethokuhle Makhaya produced a brilliant fingertip save to push the ball over the crossbar. Eventually, the pressure took it’s toll and Sekhwela delivered the decisive blow. in the 93rd minute to seal the victory for UJ.
Scorers:
UJ: Keletso Sekhwela.
Player of the Match: Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza (UJ)
Teams:
UFS: Lethokuhle Makhaya, Tshepo Ndlovu, Iviwe Dyabuza (captain), Adolph Radingoana, Jarome Jansen, Ben Kraai, Philani Zondi, Samkelo Nakedi, Jose Mondi, Kagiso Semenya, Kwethhemba Ndlovu.
UJ: Bayanda Mkhonza, Thabo Moshikere, Kyle Van Rensburg, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Keletso Sekhwela, Ndabezinhle Nkosi (captain), Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza, Yasidu Lifa, Tumelo Machete, Karabo Modisane, Tokolho Vilakazi, Teboho Makhalanyane.
UP-Tuks 0 – 0 TUT
The two Varsity Football heavyweights clashed in the Tshwane derby, with Tuks aiming for their first win of the season and arch-rivals TUT looking to extend their perfect start. The Stripe Generation started like a house on fire throwing the first stone with fast counterattack play causing TUT defence to go deep. Matome Rangata and Risen Albert commanded the flanks interchanging and sending in crosses targeting the tall Quintin Stokes-Waller. Tuks’s defense was caught napping, failing to clear their lines, while Menzukuthula Ntshangase missed a chance to give his side the lead, sending the ball wide. Both teams headed into the break frustrated, with the score remaining 0-0 at halftime. In the second half, TUT looked dangerous on set pieces, winning free kicks in pleasing areas. However their efforts were dealt with by Tuks’s shot stopper. The story of could haves and should haves continued and the Tshwane derby ending in a disappointing goalless draw.
Player of the Match: Edward Rankwe (UP-Tuks)
Teams:
UP-Tuks: Leathan Croats, Khotatso Balepile, Edward Rankwe, Damian Overmeyer, Nkosana Shabalala, Paballo Mamabolo, Camagu Mdevulana, Matome Rangata, Samukelo Ngodela, Risen Albert, Quintin Stokes-Waller.
TUT: Luyanda Mandindi, Lehlomo Tolo, Mekdiwe Ncenya, Surprise Khoza, Alan Moja, Sphesihle Mazibuko, Katlego Sphamandla, Menzukuthula Ntshangase, Lucky Raphala, Glen Mashimbye, Precious Radithomo Mohale.
Catch the fixtures and log: HERE
Get your tickets for the next round: HERE.
Courtesy Varsity Sports and Varsity Men’s Football
