The Varsity Football clash between neighbours Tuks and TUT in Tshwane on Monday will be a derby of epic proportions.
In Spain, they call it ‘El Clasico’ when Barcelona meet their sworn rivals Real Madrid in one of the biggest derbies in the World.
In Italy, they call it ‘Derby Della Madonnina’ when AC Milan and Inter Milan fight for the battle of supremacy at the San Siro and here at home, they call it the Soweto Derby when traditional rivals, Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs cross swords in one of the biggest games in the history of football in South Africa.
Likewise, Varsity Sport has given birth to its own Derby in University football .After much anticipation, Varsity Football is here and the stage has now been set for what has been dubbed as ‘Tshwane Derby” between Tshwane University of Technology and University of Pretoria in what expected to be a mouth watering encounters set for Tuks Stadium on Monday.
Interestingly if not surprisingly, Soothsayers have already dubbed TUT as under dogs going to the match after reports emerged that Amatuks intend to bring two players from their team playing professional football in the PSL.
However as the experts and analysts of the beautiful game say ‘anything is possible in football’, the underdog tag can suit TUT well and act as extra motivation for them to defy all odds and bring back the three points to their campus.
TUT vice captain, Themba ‘V3’ Nkosi has since reminded Doubting Thomasses that names and history count nothing in football and warned their counterparts at UP for a tough battle on Monday.
“We know that they have made their name in South African football but we also want to make our name in local football”, said Nkosi.
“We know the kind of football that they play which they rely on high balls”.”We are going there to play carpet football and rely on our skills”, he added.
TUT played a friendly against UJ in Johannesburg on Wednesday and won 1-0 courtesy of goal by striker ,Doctor Radebe in the second half, Nkosi believes that their preparations for Varsity Football are in the right track.
“We have played seven games, won six and lost only one. The spirit in the camp is very high and the boys are looking forward to the Varsity Football tournament”, he said.
The game between TUT and Amatuks will be shown live on Supersport. The kick off is at 19.00.
“We are all excited that the game will be live on TV. This is the first time for some of us to be on TV and we are very excited”.”We know some scouts will be watching the game and this will also be a chance to catch attention of some of the PSL teams”.
Now it’s the matter of 90 minutes to determine who will walk the Lillian Ngoye street (the main street in Pretoria) carrying the bragging rights of the Capital City of South Africa come Monday night.
By Ernest Fakude
