SPORT
USSA Games Wrap Up: UP vs NWU Vaal
Johannes Masiteng
NWU Vaal kicked off their USSA
campaign with losses in both their ladies and men’s football teams. Either
NWU Vaal team could not find the
back of the net in the double header
that was played at UJ Bunting Road
Sports Ground. The Ladies were
thrashed 6-0 while the men’s team
went down 1-0 later that night in a
low scoring match.
Match 1 (Ladies): NWU Vaal 0-6 UP
The University of Pretoria (UP) Ladies soccer team were in a rampant
as they outplayed and outclassed
their opponents. They dominated the
match from the first minute to the last
and the players showed athleticism
with their excellent play.
UP won two early-corner kicks but
were easily cleared by the NWU
Vaal defence. Moments later, the
NWU Vaal goalkeeper made an excellent double save to deny UP forward the opener. Just 10 minutes
into the game, NWU Vaal defence
were caught napping after a defensive mistake and UP forward Pretty
Mo made no mistake and slipped the
ball past the NWU Vaal goalkeeper.
UP doubled their lead Vaal Pukke
moments later with a great strike
from Midfielder Phila Chego from the
edge of the 18-yard area. UP contin-
ued their dominance over NWU Vaal
for the rest of the first half. Possession was mostly played in the middle
of the park. NWU Vaal lost possession easily and could not break into
UP’s final third.
In the second period of the game,
UP continued to dominate their opponents and it was no surprise that UP
player Vennesa Saikam made it 3-0
minutes after the start of the second
half. Later, fellow teammate Gloria
Thato also scored, making the score
line 4-0. The NWU Vaal defence
could not contain the UP attackers
and in the later stages of the game
Midfielder Mapotlakela Maserumele
grabbed her brace, which extended
the score line to 6-0. The referee signalled full time and the game ended
6-0 in favour of UP.
Match 2 (Men’s ): NWU Vaal 0-1 UP
Later in the chilled , cold night, NWU
Vaal Men’s soccer team set to grab a
win against UP Men’s Soccer team to
cancel a disappointing earlier result
and take a win home. It seemed possible in the early minutes of the game
that NWU Vaal will grab a win. Either
side were guilty of missing scoring
opportunities.
UP, dubbed AmaTuks or Tuks, nearly
obtained an early lead with a well
taken free kick but NWU Vaal keeper
came out tops and parried the ball
over the bar. A few minutes later
NWU Vaal goal keeper made two
crucial saves to deny a strong UP
side an early lead. NWU Vaal had
chances of finding the back of the
net with two free kicks in the middle
of the field, but Tuks goalkeeper had
no problems and collected the ball
from both free kicks comfortably . It
was a tight first half as the teams
were evenly matched on the field
with scoring opportunities and possession.
Finnaly the UP broke the deadlock
just a few minutes into the second
half. Jerry Nkwana, UP forward
made a run into the 18-yard area with
the ball and took a lower curled shot
which beats NWU Vaal goalkeeper.
NWU Vaal searched for an equaliser
as they cannot settle for a lose , but
unfortunately they found it hard to
get in the Tuks’ final third and the 18yard area. UP defenders were quick
to clear the ball from dangerous areas as NWU Vaal posed a threat.
Nkwana could have sealed the game
and made himself a hero with a brace
in the last 5 minutes, as his lower
shot in a one on one position beats
Vaal Pukke goalkeeper but hits the
upright and NWU Vaal goalkeeper
collects it. AmaTuks won the game
with a 1-0 narrow score line, thanks
to Nkwana’s goal.
The Boss has arrived! Meet Sello Mokoena
Moroke Bojosi
Coaching Record
Teams Coached: Tshwane University of Technology Ladies (1996-2000), Pretoria University (2000-2013), City
Tigers (2004-2006), Tshwane Regional Team (19972008), Kings Academy (2007), USSA National Women’s
Team (2006-current)
Mokoena was born in White City, Soweto, and is the first
born of three boys and was raised by his mom and dad.
Later, he moved to Pimville Zone 4, and attended Saint
Peter Clever Primary School; then moved on to Phefeni
High School and matriculated at Trinity High School in
Qualifications: SAFA Level II License, KNVB Level I License, CAF B License.
Achievements: Coach of the Tournament Men sectionUSSA National Football Championships 2006, Coach of
the Tournament Women section-USSA National Football Championships 2009.
Background
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