TUT coach Bushy Moloi knows that his team go into their clash with UP-Tuks as underdogs, but he expects his charges to rise to the occasion against their local rivals.
The charismatic coach, who has been in charge at TUT since 2006, believes that the atmosphere at the match (which will be televised live on Supersport at 19.00 on Monday) will rival a Soweto derby between Kaizer Chiefs and Orlando Pirates.
“That is a big challenge but we are in for that and I can promise you that it will be like Pirates and Chiefs – one of them should win, there is no draw,” he told varsitysportssa.com.
Moloi expects Tuks to include some of their professional players for the opening clash, but he plans to use that fact as extra motivation for his players who will be out to prove a point against the current USSA champions.
“There is a rumour that they will be using some of their PSL players. For me it is not a worry, we will match them pound for pound.
“It is motivating for our players that they are playing PSL players, so they need to work extra hard,” he explained.
Although TUT have not played to their potential yet this year, their coach believes that the big stage that Varsity Football will provide will spur his players on against Tuks.
“We know that we go into the match as underdogs, and we have not been in our best form, we need to finish better and we have had our problems in the centre as well but come Monday it will be a different story and I hope my boys rise to the occasion.
Moloi revealed that his side will employ the 4-3-3 formation that saw Bayern Munich clinch the Champions League and the Bundesliga title this year, and he believes that will be the key to countering Tuks’ long-ball approach.
“We play a similar formation to Bayern Munich in that we have four at the back with three in the centre and then three attacking players up front.
“With that style of play there can be a few loopholes, especially if players don’t understand it.
“We know Tukkies very well – they play long balls, they put one big player up front and they will hit him each and every time.
“So we will have to manage that correctly, but I can tell you it will be one of the best football games ever in university sports,” said Moloi.
