DYLAN JACK
UP-Tuks started the 2016 Varsity Football season with one win and two draws out of the first five games of the season. At the time of going to print, UP sat fourth on the Varsity Football log with five points, with the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) leading.
In their season opener UP faced a tough match as they played title holders the University of Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town. Despite taking the lead in the 8 th minute with a goal from Mogau Khuwinana, UP struggled in the second half and conceded a goal to UWC’s Suhayl Allie. The game ended 1-1, allowing UP to come home with a point.
UP then played TUT at home but did not manage to take their chances early enough. TUT scored on the brink of half-time and held out for a 1-0 win. This left UP second from bottom on the log.
UP travelled to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) and faced a do-or-die game to resurrect their title challenge. The match was deadlocked at 0-0 at half time but UP eventually left with a 3-0 win courtesy of goals from Tiago de Serra, Mogau Khuwinana and Mbongeni Masilela. In the fourth match of the season UP tried to keep their momentum as they hosted North- West University-Mafikeng. UP struggled to keep up the same pace in the second half and had goalkeeper Dylan Paterson to thank as he pulled off a number of good saves. The game ended 0-0 and left UP in third place on the log.
On Monday 15 August, UP faced the Cape University of Technology (CUT) in Bloemfontein. In a neck-and-neck game, both teams fought to get ahead on the scoreboard. With the pressure of time against them, UP faced a 2-2 draw approaching the end of the game. CUT’s Cameron Chewu sent UP home disappointed with a close range header and a 3-2 loss.
Photo: Saspa
