The University of Pretoria scored two first half goals to beat the University of the Western Cape 2-1 in their Varsity Football match at the Tuks Stadium on Monday evening.

The win has allowed the former two-time champions to secure a home semifinal against the same opposition on Thursday. Pretoria pulled out all the stops to welcome UWC as the teams walked out onto a pristine field on a warm weekday evening.

UP-Tuks, buoyed by the incentive of a home semifinal, came out firing as they broke through on several occasions but could not finish off their opportunities.

It would take until the 32nd minute for the deadlock to be broken as Odwa Makha netted a stunner to give the home team the lead, much to the delight of the enthusiastic supporters who turned up in their numbers to support the University of Pretoria.

UP-Tuks added a second goal moments later as Ludumo Nkebe fired a snap shot as the University of Pretoria went into the break with a comfortable 2-0 lead.

UWC recovered from the shock of the first half as they slowly started to get back in the match when the second half resumed.

The men from the Cape were rewarded for their efforts when forward Phiwokuhle Mphalala found the back of the net in 72nd minute to keep UWC in the running.

UWC tried hard to find the equaliser in the dying minutes but it was not to be as UP-Tuks finished the match victorious.

FNB Man of the Match: Siphesihle Sosibo (Tuks)
Samsung Best Shot: Ludumo Nkebe (Tuks)

TEAMS
UP-Tuks: Daylan Hawes, Katlego Motihatsang, Simbongile Njokwe, Chinedu Okolo, Pierre Kok, Claudio De Almeida, Jeremiah Nkwana, Frank Mpedi, Siphesihle Sosibo, Sabelo Tsambo, Odwa Makha.
Subs: Athenkosi Jojo, Ludumo Nkebe, Richard Moremi, Leonel De Mendonca, Clinton Mphahlele, Jurgen Booysen, Clement Malmone.

UWC: Renaldo Leaner, Aghmat Ceres, Giovani Gaffoor, Xolela Ndude, Lyle Hardenberg, Clint Fredericks, Luke Vester, Ryan Steer, Clinton Herwel, Xolisa Makubalo, Phiwokuhle Mphalala.
Subs: Akhona Cawe, Garren Smith, Josh Silent, Thulani Mkosi, Ayanda Nkunkwana, Chad Smith, Ryan Ramandh.