Keletso Sekhwela’s last-minute goal for the University of Johannesburg (UJ) Senior Men’s Football Team earned them a crucial away victory against the University of Free State (UFS) in Bloemfontein, keeping their hopes of a top-four finish alive. The dramatic 1-0 win was sealed through Sekhwela’s strike in the 92nd minute at Shimla Park on Thursday evening, 14 August 2025.
The match began as a cagey affair, with both teams struggling to find their rhythm and create scoring opportunities in the first half. A stalemate seemed likely as neither side could break the deadlock before the halftime whistle.
Second-Half Breakthrough
After the break, UJ came out with renewed purpose, launching a series of attacks that tested the UFS defence. The home side’s goalkeeper was forced into an impressive save, while Sekhwela nearly scored earlier with a spectacular overhead scissor kick.
After an hour of action on the pitch, coaches Mokete Tsotetsi and Karabo Mogudi made substitutions in an attempt to spark their teams, but it was UJ saw the difference with a late winner. In the second minute of four minutes of added time, Sekhwela capitalized on a corner kick to net the only goal of the game, sending the visiting team into celebration.
Individual Accolades
UJ’s strong second-half performance was highlighted by individual awards for two of their players. Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza was named the FNB Player of the Match for the second consecutive round, while goal-scorer Keletso Sekhwela earned the SportPesa Goal Rush Award.
The victory was also a memorable debut for young UJ goalkeeper Kyle Van Rensburg, who stepped in for the injured Lungelo Sithole, keeping a clean sheet.
The match saw two yellow cards issued; one to UJ’s Thabo Moshikere and one to UFS’s right back Tshepo Ndlovu.
UJ now sist on 3rd place on the log with four points. Next week on Thursday, 21 August 2025, the Orange Army locks horns with Wits University in a Jobergy derby at the UJ Soweto Stadium at 17:00 – tickets available here.
Team Line-Ups:
UJ: Kyle Rensburg, Thabo Mshikere, Siyabonga Nhlapo, Keletso Sekhwela, Ndabezinhle Nkosi, Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza, Yasidu Lifa, Tumelo Machete, Karabo Modisane, Tokoloho Vilakazi, Teboho Makhalanyane.
UFS: Lethokuhle Makhaya, Tshepo Ndlovu, Iviwe Dyabuza, Adolph Radingoana, Jarome Jansen, Ben Kraai, Philani Zondi, Samkelo Nakedi, Jose Mondi, Kagiso Semenya, Kwethemba Ndlovu.
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