Tuks cruise past coach-less Free State Stars

The University of Pretoria deservedly beat Free State Stars 3-1 in an Absa Premiership encounter at Tuks Stadium in Tshwane on Wednesday evening.

Geofrey Massa scored a quick-fire brace, while Atusaye Nyondo bagged a goal from the penalty spot. Katlego Mashego scored for the visitors.

AmaTuks coach Steve Barker made only one change to the side that beat AmaZulu at the weekend; Mpho Matsi returned to the starting line-up in place of Siyabonga Shoyisa. As a result Buhle Mkhwanazi moved from midfield to his more conventional role at the heart of defence.

Ea Lla Koto stand-in mentor Themba Sithole made three changes to the outfit that lost 2-0 to Kaizer Chiefs on Saturday. Mongezi Bobe, Soriola Gege and Lucky Mokoena were all included in the starting XI, while former Tuks marksman Mthokozisi Yende failed to make the match day squad.

The hosts got off the perfect start, with Massa bagging a brace before some fans could find their seats.

The sturdy Ugandan fired a powerful free-kick from just outside the area past Daniel Agyei in the fourth minute before tapping in from close range seconds later following a defensive mix-up gifted him the ball, 2-0.

Ea Lla Koto nearly narrowed the early deficit in the seventh minute through Bobe. The former Black Leopards skipper’s curling free-kick had Washington Arubi beaten, but not the post.

The early goals meant Stars had to attack from early on, something that seemed to suit the hosts who played on the counter.

Either side had opportunities to add to the score line but neither was able to trouble the net again before the break.

Tuks made it 3-0 from the penalty spot five minutes into the second stanza.  Atusaye Nyondo was brought down inside the area by Sibusiso Mthethwa, who had just entered the pitch. The Malawian brushed himself off, stepped up and coolly slotted the ball past Agyei, 3-0.

Ea Lla Koto pulled one back in the 75th minute through Katlego Mashego. Danny Venter neatly played his free-kick attempt into the path of an unmarked Mashego, who made no mistake with his first time effort, 3-1.

Stars piled on the pressure in the final few minutes but Tuks held on to climb up to 10th on the log. The defeat demotes Ea Lla Kto down to 13th.

University of Pretoria (2) 0 (Massa 4’ 5’ Nyondo 50’)

Free State Stars (0) 1 (Mashego 75’)

University Pretoria: Arubi, Kekana, Matsi, Mkhwanazi, Moussono-Moussono, Ketjijere, Monyai, Zwane, Mosadi (Maruping 88), Massa (Selolwane 70’), Nyondo (Mathosi 90+1’)

Free State Stars: Agyei, Masehe, Ouro-Akoriko, Shabalala(Mthetwa 46’), Thebakang, Gege, Mashego, Bobe (Basit 59’), Mokoena, Venter, Abraw

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