Round five of the 2025 Varsity Football tournament lived up to expectations, with four matches played countrywide on the evening of Thursday 4 September.
Victories were recorded by North-West University (NWU) and the University of the Free State (UFS), while two of the round-five matches played out to a stalemate.
Here is a brief breakdown of each match:
DERBY DOMINANCE
The Bloemfontein derby between UFS and Central University of Technology (CUT) delivered an exciting clash at Shimla Park, with Shimlas claiming a 2-1 victory.
UFS dominated the derby from the outset, employing an effective long-ball strategy that consistently troubled CUT’s defence. The home side opened the scoring in the 25th minute when goalkeeper Lethokuhle Makhaya’s precise long ball found Kagiso Semenya, who expertly chipped over the CUT goalkeeper.
Jarome Jansen converted a penalty just before half-time to double UFS’s advantage, though they were frustrated by winger Omphemetse Athibeng’s failure to capitalise on several clear chances.
CUT showed greater resilience in the second half, creating some opportunities but lacking the cutting edge to seriously threaten. The match came alive in the 75th minute when substitute Katlego Ramotete curled a stunning free kick past Makhaya, sparking hopes of a comeback.
Despite CUT’s late pressure and desperate attempts to find an equaliser, UFS’s defense held firm to secure victory.
TACTICAL TRIUMPH
NWU Men’s Football demonstrated exceptional control and tactical discipline to secure a hard-fought victory over Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) at the NWU Mahikeng Stadium.
From the opening whistle, NWU dominated with a possession-based approach, enjoying nearly 70% ball possession in the first 30 minutes while registering three shots on target compared to TUT’s zero.
The Mahikeng-based side’s midfield dominance and patient build-up play left TUT chasing shadows throughout the first half. TUT’s strategy centered on counter-attacking football, but their lack of precision in the final third severely limited their attacking threat against NWU’s well-structured defense.
The decisive moment came in the second half when sustained pressure paid off for NWU. A well-worked move down the right flank created space for striker Momelezi Mngati, who clinically converted to secure victory.
Despite TUT increasing their intensity late in the game, they failed to mount a meaningful comeback against NWU’s defensive organisation.
RESILIENT DRAW
Durban University of Technology (DUT) defied their recent struggles to secure a valuable point against the table-topping University of Johannesburg (UJ), ending their four-match losing streak with a spirited 1-1 draw.
Playing away from home, coach Zipho Dlangalala’s side showed impressive confidence from the outset.
DUT took the lead in the 14th minute when captain Xolani Mkhonza converted a penalty after a UJ handball. The goal visibly unsettled the hosts, causing midfield errors that DUT capitalised on throughout the first half.
UJ responded with relentless pressure in the second half, equalising in the 61st minute through Keletso Sekhwela’s perfectly placed header from Teboho Makhalanyane’s corner kick. Both teams created multiple chances as the tempo increased significantly.
The drama intensified when DUT substitute Luyanda Ntuli was shown red just five minutes after coming on, leaving his team with 10 men. Despite the numerical disadvantage, DUT’s defensive resilience proved crucial as they held firm to secure a hard-fought point.
WINLESS WOES
The University of Pretoria’s (UP-Tuks) knockout hopes suffered another blow as they were held to a 1-1 draw by Wits at Tuks Stadium, leaving them still searching for their first win of the season.
The home side remains in sixth position after extending their winless streak to five matches, having managed four draws and one defeat.
Nicholas Stothard’s “Stripe Generation” started brightly, pressing Wits hard and looking threatening from set-pieces. However, their ongoing struggle to convert chances again proved costly as they squandered several first-half opportunities.
Wits capitalised on their counter-attacking approach when Simphiwe Mabena confidently converted a penalty just before half-time to give the visitors the lead.
UP-Tuks responded with increased urgency after the break, and their persistence paid off on the hour mark when Damian Overmeyer perfectly executed a header to find an open net and level the score.
The draw leaves UP-Tuks desperate for points and still without victory after five frustrating rounds of competition.
Round six of the 2025 edition of Varsity Football is scheduled for Thursday 11 September. DUT will host NWU at the Harry Gwala Stadium in Pietermaritzburg; Wits faces UFS at the Wits Stadium; CUT travel to Pretoria to take on UP-Tuks at the Tuks Stadium; and UJ will lock horns with TUT at the UJ Soweto Stadium.
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