UP-Tuks succumbed to a 2-1 defeat at the hands of WITS at the Tuks Stadium on Thursday 20 August 2015. The visitors upstaged the tournament favourites to snatch a late winner through substitute Wonderboy Frank.

WITS started the match better than Tuks as they passed the ball around swiftly and dominated possession, none of the teams were threatening in the first 20 minutes. Mahle Mtabane and Gift Baloyi combined well to pierce through the Tuks defence but David Ribeiro sniffed out the chance when he left his goal line to collect the ball.

UP-Tuks were awarded an indirect free-kick in the box after the WITS keeper collected a back pass from his defender but Jeremiah Nkwana’s effort sailed wide.   Two minutes later the swift passing of WITS proved too much for the UP-Tuks defenders as Muzimkhulu Nhlengetwa found himself faced with the goalkeeper and he toe-poked the ball home to make it 1-0 in the 23^rd minute.

The home side upped their game as they sought the equaliser and Frank Mpedi came close when his header was saved by Brylon Petersen. WITS went back to the change room with a 1-0 lead. The defending champions increased their tempo in the second half but WITS frustrated them as they slowed things down and kept the ball well in the midfield area.

 A moment of individual brilliance by Jeremiah Nkwana got Tuks back into the game as his superb free-kick hit the back of the net to make it 1-1 in the 52^nd minute. It was game on from there as both teams looked for the winner, the match began to tilt towards a physical battle as none of the teams wanted to be second best in any of the challenges.

Frank Mpedi had a glorious chance in the 83^rd minute to put his side ahead but his header sailed wide. The visitors would have the last say as Wonderboy Frank had enough time to turn onto his favourable left foot and curl the ball into net in the last minute to earn his side the victory.

Samsung Super Striker- Wonderboy Frank (WITS)

FNB Man of the Match- Nicholas Killas (UP-Tuks)

Scorers:

UP-Tuks- Jeremiah Nkwana

WITS- Muzimkhulu Nhlengetwa, Wonderboy Frank

UP-Tuks will have to go back to the drawing board and regroup this weekend. They take on NWU at the Tuks Stadium on Monday 24 August; kick-off is at 18:00. Tickets can be downloaded from the Varsity Sports app or purchased for R 10 at the Ticket booth on the UP Sports Campus from 15:00 on Monday 24 August.