Up-Tuks Dominate Sol Plaatjie University 4-1 On Day 1

On 1 December 2025, 2025 UP-Tuks USSA Ladies hosted Sol Plaatjie University at Hatfield in a 70-minute tournament home match kicking off at 9:00am. The home side emerged convincingly with a 4-1 victory, showcasing attacking prowess and resilience despite an early setback. The referee maintained control throughout, earning a solid performance rating of 7.

Deploying a 4-2-3-1 formation, UP-Tuks USSA Ladies set up with Slindile Duma in goal, backed by a defensive line of Zikhona Mgotywa at right back, Maria Manganas and Ncamsile Shongwe as central defenders, and Moipone Menoe on the left. The midfield double pivot featured Ntando Phahla and Milo Filand, tasked with both defensive cover and distribution. Ahead of them, the attacking midfield trio consisted of Siyamthanda Qashani on the right, S’bahle Ndlovu centrally as the attacking midfielder, and Wendy Shongwe on the left, all supporting lone striker Inge Kaba. The substitutes available were Lebogang Chuma, Sivuyile Njobeni, Tshwarelo Setlhafuno, Thando Khubeka, and Moeletsi Digoro.

The match began with high intensity as S’bahle Ndlovu immediately involved herself in defensive duties with a tackle in the opening minute, quickly followed by an attempt that went wide. Zikhona Mgotywa’s long pass and Siyamthanda Qashani’s key long pass early on hinted at the team’s intent to stretch the play and create chances. However, defensive clearances from Zikhona and Maria Manganas kept the opposition at bay in the early exchanges.

Despite the home side’s early pressure, Sol Plaatjie University capitalised on a defensive lapse in the fourth minute. A combination of misjudgements by goalkeeper Slindile Duma and central defender Ncamsile Shongwe allowed the visitors to score with a right-footed finish following a defensive mistake. This early goal was a blow to UP-Tuks but did not deter their attacking ambitions.

Moipone Menoe and S’bahle Ndlovu contributed flick passes and key passes in quick succession, maintaining offensive momentum. S’bahle’s persistence paid off in the ninth minute when she scored from close range inside the box, neatly finishing a short pass from Wendy Shongwe to level the scores. This goal sparked a shift in momentum as UP-Tuks began to dominate possession and chances.

The home side’s defensive solidity was tested repeatedly, with Siyamthanda Qashani and Ncamsile Shongwe making crucial tackles and headers to repel attacks. Ntando Phahla and Milo Filand intercepted and tackled effectively in midfield, while the full-backs Moipone Menoe and Zikhona Mgotywa combined defensive duties with key passes to support forward play.

Wendy Shongwe was heavily involved in creating opportunities, delivering crosses and slide rule passes that consistently threatened the opposition’s defence. Siyamthanda Qashani’s header from a Wendy cross in the 39th minute gave UP-Tuks the lead, a close-range finish that showcased their growing dominance.

Despite some misplaced passes and misjudgements from several players including S’bahle Ndlovu and Wendy Shongwe, UP-Tuks maintained pressure. The first half concluded with the home side leading 2-1, having overturned the early deficit through clinical finishing and sustained attacking play.

The second half saw tactical substitutions at the 63rd minute, with Tshwarelo Setlhafuno, Sivuyile Njobeni, and Lebogang Chuma introduced for Siyamthanda Qashani, Wendy Shongwe, and Milo Filand respectively. These changes injected fresh energy and maintained the team’s attacking impetus.

S’bahle Ndlovu continued to be a key figure, scoring her second goal of the match from a penalty in the 53rd minute, expertly converting a close-range right-footed strike following an assist from Ncamsile Shongwe. This goal extended UP-Tuks’ lead and further demoralised the visitors.

Throughout the remainder of the match, UP-Tuks’ midfielders and defenders combined well to intercept and tackle, limiting Sol Plaatjie’s opportunities. Slindile Duma made several important saves and clearances, ensuring the clean sheet was preserved after the early goal.

In the 62nd minute, S’bahle Ndlovu completed her hat-trick with a close-range finish inside the box, assisted by a precise short pass from Inge Kaba. This goal effectively sealed the contest, with UP-Tuks firmly in control.

The final goal came late in the match, with S’bahle Ndlovu again on the scoresheet, assisted by Inge Kaba’s flick pass. This fourth goal underscored the striker’s clinical nature and the team’s attacking cohesion.

Defensively, the back four and midfielders worked tirelessly to prevent further chances, with multiple interceptions and tackles from Moipone Menoe, Ncamsile Shongwe, and Ntando Phahla. The substitutes also contributed to maintaining the team’s shape and intensity in the closing stages.

In summary, despite an early defensive error that gifted Sol Plaatjie University a goal, 2025 UP-Tuks USSA Ladies responded with determination and quality. Their 4-1 victory was built on a solid 4-2-3-1 formation that balanced defensive resilience with attacking creativity. S’bahle Ndlovu’s hat-trick was the highlight, supported by key contributions from Wendy Shongwe and Inge Kaba. Tactical substitutions in the second half ensured the team’s dominance was sustained until the final whistle.