By Lakhe Thwala
Tshwane-based giants, TUT are one of the powerhouses of the Varsity Football tournament, having won two of the previous eight editions (2016 & 2018). In 2022, they will be trying to reassert themselves as the dominant side in the competition, with coach Bushy Moloi targeting a home final.
“We always play for nine games. Last year we missed an opportunity, we played eight. Still, the target is to play nine games and for the ninth game to be at TUT,” says Moloi, who has been with the team since 2013.
In their first game, the Red Machine will take on defending champions UJ, who beat them in the semi-final on penalties last year. TUT will meet the Orange Army at UJ Soweto Stadium on Thursday, 21 July to kick off their tournament, with many UJ supporters being expected in the stands to see their title-winning team live in action for the first time after supporters were not allowed at last year’s tournament.
TUT defender Sanele Nene believes the Red Machine are the underdogs in this year’s competition as they weren’t at their best last year.
“I wouldn’t regard TUT as the tournament’s favourites this year as there are many good teams such as our first opponent UJ. We think we are the underdogs this year as we have to fight to re-establish our institution as the powerhouse of Varsity Football,” said the KwaZulu-Natal-born starlet.
However, the talented defender insisted they are not intimidated by the Orange Army, who won their first ever title in 2021.
“Football is a game of moments and whoever takes their chances will become victorious, so I would say that both teams have a 50-50 chance of winning this match,” he added.
Meanwhile, coach Moloi expects a tough away fixture, with UJ likely to be keen to impress to their fans and neutrals that their triumph from 2021 wasn’t by fluke.
“It has always been a nice game when you play UJ because we know that they are a good side. They are tactical and they always approach us with a bit of arrogance. They will probably want to send a clear message that it was not by default that they won it last time,” Moloi added.
TUT started last year’s tournament with a draw and two defeats before sneaking into the semi-finals and Moloi hopes his team might surprise the defending champions later this week
“So ours is to just to maintain the pressure and say to them, that we made a mistake by that penalty and we also missed a lot of chances when we played against them in the semi-final. So let’s see if this time around the game would not finish with us being victorious,” he concluded.
TUT Varsity Football squad:
Goalkeepers: Sikhumbuzo Ncube, Phala Mathebe, Luyanda Mandindi
Defenders: Tebogo Lekaba (C), Alan Moja, Bongane Ncela, Kutloano Manamela, Anda Ihleli Yamile, Surprise Khoza, Mandla Hlongwane, Thite Mbilo, Siphosethu Mkhize, Sanele Nene, Tshepiso Mnisi, Kamogelo Motshegoa.
Midfielders: Tshiamo Mohome, Lunga Dlamini, Gift Mazibuko, Menzi Dlongolo, Neo Mabote, Luyolo Lupapule, Stephen Phetlhe.
Wingers: Tumelo Hope Moeng, Bongane Ngobeni, Lwandle Gwala, Katlego Kgoete, Hendrick Xaba
Strikers: Sakhile Hadebe, Precious Mohale, Puseletso Rakobela, Tressure Lefa Chechen
TUT will start their 2022 campaign with their round one fixture against UJ at the UJ Stadium in Soweto at 19:15 on Thursday. The game will be live on SuperSport 4.
Read more about how to get tickets here: https://www.old.varsitysportssa.com/how-to-get-tickets-to-varsity-football-2022/
