TUT did what was needed to beat their Pretoria rivals, UP-Tuks 1-0 at the Tuks Stadium in Round 1’s Varsity Football clash on Thursday evening.
It was the visitors who stormed out of the starting blocks and forced themselves into favourable attacking positions but UP-Tuks did well to weather the storm in the opening exchanges of the match.
Despite the frantic start to the match, both teams failed to convert their chances as they continued to push each other.
The deadlock was finally broken in the 28th minute as UP-Tuks failed to get the ball out of the danger zone with TUT setting up the subsequent throw in. Mogau Mphahlele was the man to successfully steer the ball home and hand TUT a crucial 1-0 lead.
UP-Tuks were visibly shaken by the goal and tried hard to equalise but it was not to be as TUT headed to the sheds a goal up.
The boot was squarely on the other foot when the match resumed as UP-Tuks upped the ante on attack while it was TUT’s turn to deflect their efforts.
However, the match slumped into a mostly dull affair as both teams built up impressive attacking phases but could not get past each others’ defensive walls.
UP-Tuks were inches away from drawing level with a minute left of regular time but the free kick went wide and TUT simply wore down the time to walk away with a 1-0 win.
UP-Tuks (0) 0
TUT (1) 1: Mogau Mphahlele
UP-Tuks: 16. Giovanni Idi (GK), 7. Jurgen Booysen, 3. Sabelo Tsambo, 5. Simbongile Njokwe (capt), 8. Wandile Dlamini, 20. Katlego Motlhatsang, 24. Jerry Tlou, 11. Lebohang Montueli, 26. Mathuane Selotola, 10. Mogau Khwinana, 9. Nhlanhla Mabaso.
Replacements: 18. Tyler Den Heyer (GK), 22. Curtis Mathebula, 4. Edward Rankwe, 15. Siphamandla Ntuli, 25. Sive Mfala, 2. Tobatsi Roets, 14. Ross Marshall.
TUT: 20. Sikhumbuzo Ncube (GK), 2. Tumelo Mphela, 16. Boipelo Molale, 5. Mogau Mphahlele, 3. Rorisang Rapelang (capt), 6. Thuso Mlamla, 17. Brian Tshoba, 4. Wisdom Mathebula, 13. Lebogang Phatlane, 10. Thabiso Lebitso, 15. Ronald Mabasa.
Replacements: 1. Mpho Nhlapo (GK), 8. Tebogo Lekaba, 11. Moses Lehlomela, 21. Tlotlo Afrika, 22. Ogorositswe Tabane, 27. Hendrick Xaba, 19. Steven Mvenya.
FNB Player of the Match: Brian Tshoba (TUT)
Debonairs Pizza Real Deal Saver: Sikhumbuzo Ncube (TUT)
MTN Connector: Jurgen Booysen (UP-Tuks)
By Dan Lombard
