You can sit and calculate all the different permutations until you are blue in the face but one thing is certain about this match: a giant could fall.
The match is a repeat of last year’s final where Tuks ran out comfortable 4-1 winners, however, NMMU have more confidence heading into this match.
UP-Tuks Coach Evangelos Vellios is looking forward to the game and is holding tightly to his seat.
“I am very excited, it’s the kind of game that any coach would love to be a part of, and it will be equivalent to a quarter final for us. There is always a lot of pressure for those of us who wear the Tuks emblem on our chests, but we are used to it and we will embrace it,” he said.
Former NMMU player, Lindsay Stowman, said he was excited about the prospect of playing against his former teammates and friends at NMMU.
“I’m excited to have the opportunity to play against the university I used to play for as well as my old friends.
“I’m not going out there to prove anything but rather to do my best for UP-Tuks. I’m not willing to step back and not perform simply because they are my friends, on the field we are both fighting for the same thing but after the game we will be friends,” he added.
NMMU Madibaz head coach Graeme Harrison said Cloudius Sagandira would be hungry to score and put in a good performance as he makes a return to the squad.
“He’s a gritty player with an excellent work rate and a never-say-die attitude,” he said.
Harrison said his men had been working hard on rectifying mistakes from the previous game and would apply themselves with tenacity and intensity.
“Tuks will be a tough opponent, they’re a good team that play hard, running and direct football. The game will be physical as they will also be desperate for the points. We have one thing in mind and that is to win the game – nothing else. We are determined to fight all the way and go all out to ensure that we achieve the maximum points,” he added.
UP-Tuks Squad: 32 Lebo Ngubeni, 4 Lawrence Ntswane, 8 Nicholas Killas, 13 Lindsay Stowman, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 10 Jeremiah Nkwana, 11 Richard Moremi, 5 Simbongile Njokwe, 15 Jarryd Van Den Berg, 9 Mbongeni Masilela, 2 Botshelo Mfulwane, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 21 Khumbulani Siluma, 16 Dylan Paterson, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 18 Lucky Mathosi, 23 Vuze-Umuze Khoza.
NMMU Squad: 24 Lyndsay Jennings, 12 Onela Beqezi, 5 Athini Bisha, 16 Lundi Balfour, 13 Vuyolwethu Marele, 19 Karabo Motlhabi, 6 Kurt Duff (captain), 10 Cloudius Sangandira, 18 Olwethu Ngako, 14 Simamkele Thobi, 8 Lukhanyo Rasmeni, 1 Matthew Booysen, 21 Kevin Kevido, 4 Zukisani Mtendeni, 20 Litha Fingo, 17 Sacin Jackson, 11 Kieran Koert, 9 Lukhanyo Ndabeta.
Date: Monday, 1 September
Venue: Tuks Stadium, Pretoria
Kick-off: 19.00 (Televised live on Supersport 10)
