Can anyone stop the undisputed queens of Varsity Football in 2021?
TUT have dominated the competition, clinching six of the seven titles on offer, and few would bet against them extending their record.
In the 2019 cup final in Mafikeng, TUT defeated UWC 4-1 on penalties after the match had ended 1-1.
TUT unveiled former SA U17 coach Simphiwe ‘Shorty’ Dludlu as their new coach last week. The 33-year-old replaced former Banyana Banyana coach Anna Monate, who is now with UJ.
‘After coaching the national team, I wanted a day-to-day job and an environment where I can challenge myself,’ Dludlu tells VarsitySportsSA.com. ‘I wanted to enhance my coaching qualifications and when TUT approached me to join them, I did not think twice.’
Dludlu insists the fact she didn’t spend pre-season with TUT won’t be an issue.
‘Anna did a great job with the players. The team is in great shape and the players are happy. I’m inheriting a good team. No pre-season, no problem. I have to tweak a few things here and there but I don’t have to change a lot of things.’
After Dludlu took over at TUT, they won four games in a row in the Hollywoodbets Super League.
‘I learned a lot from the coaches I worked with in the senior national team,’ says Dludlu, who represented Banyana from 2006 until her retirement in 2015, and has Caf A and B and Uefa A coaching licences.
TUT take on Tuks in their opening Group A game at Tuks Stadium on 29 September (18:00, SuperSport Variety 4, channel 209). Wits and DUT are also in their group, with the top two teams qualifying for the semi-finals.
‘We are building a new team and have a younger squad, but we can compete,’ says Dludlu. ‘TUT is the home of champions and we are determined to win the competition.
‘We are eyeing a great start and want to win the first game against Tuks in the Tshwane derby.’
PLAYER TO WATCH
Tshegofatso Motlogelwa is quick on attack and has an eye for goal. She is skilful and a good passer of the ball.
DID YOU KNOW?
- TUT have played in all seven Varsity Football women’s cup finals, losing the first against UJ in 2013 before winning the next six.
- TUT play in the Hollywoodbets Super League and finished second behind Mamelodi Sundowns last season.
TEAM FACT FILE
Nickname: Red Army
Province: Gauteng
Appearances: Seven (2013, 2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Titles: Six (2014, 2015, 2016, 2017, 2018, 2019)
Biggest win: 4-0 against UJ (2017)
Biggest loss: 6-0 against UJ (2013)
2021 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Zusiphe Hlanekele, Mapula Khumalo, Peacewell Maseko
Defenders: Rofhiwa Dzivhani, Thato Letsoso (captain), Nokuthula Tshuma, Nompumelelo Tshabalala, Asante Papo, Siphesihle Ndlovu, Nhlahla Ntuli, Moyahabo Kobe
Midfielders: Tshegofatso Motlogelwa, Pontsho Moshidi, Senamile Zulu, Aphane Tshegofatso, Glanny Mafikeng, Kgothatso Lerooubakie, Lehlohonolo Maruma, Moica Mathari, Lizzel Mokoena, Pride Nthite
Strikers: Rethabile Mothloua, Yolisa Ntsabo, Lucky Mmakola, Boitumelo Ndhlovu, Lehlogonolo Maluleke
TECHNICAL TEAM
Head coach: Simphiwe Dludlu
Assistant coach: Nhlanhla Maseko
Assistant coach: Sipho Mabuza
Second assistant coach: Vongani Shirinda
Team manager: Tshiila Mulaudzi
Goalkeeper coach: Alberto Ade
Logistics manager/compliance officer: Khomotso Kganakga
Physical trainer/compliance officer: Leago Lethole
Video analyst: Tshepang Tlotleng
2021 Varsity Football women’s fixtures
By Charles Baloyi
