It is often said by those in sport that it’s easy to win a title, but defending it is not… but TUT are getting used to overcoming challenges.
In a continuation of the 2018 Varsity Football season, TUT will again play all their matches away from home but two wins from two games suggests that teams will have to find more ways than a vociferous home crowd to unsettle the Red Machine.
A key member of their victories against UP-Tuks and UJ (both semi-finalists last year when TUT clinched a second title) ahas been Thabiso Lebitso, and the playmaker emphasised the traits which aere underpinning their positive results.
“As anticipated, everyone wants to beat us because we are the champions of Varsity Football but fortunately, we prepare in advance mentally, physically and emotionally to conquer every team,” Lebitso says.
WATCH: How TUT silenced the UJ crowd thanks to Lebitso’s cracker
Lebitso was solid in the season-opener at UP-Tuks, before showing the quality he has in his locker against UJ. TUT’s number 10 had the crowd in Soweto wondering ‘how did he do that’ when he banged home a volley from the narrowest of margins in the 2-0 win – rightfully earning him the MTN Pulse Moment of Brilliance award.
He though, prefers to reserve praise for TUT’s technical team and their role in ensuring that the reigning champions maintain their title defence despite another season of away days.
“It is not easy to play away matches but our technical team helps us to prepare for our opponents,” Lebitso says.
“One of our strengths is our ability to adhere to the instructions and stick to the culture of TUT Football,” concluded the 23-year old Sports Management student.
The Red Machine will not have to travel far on their next road trip as they will face will second-placed NWU Mafikeng during the double header at Tuks Stadium on Thursday.
Tickets for the early kick-off at 15:40 are available for just R10 if you use the Varsity Sports App, downloadable from the Apple App Store on iOS devices or from the Google Play store for Android users.
By Lakhe Thwala
