After eight weeks of explosive action, it all comes down to the Varsity Football Final between UP-Tuks and NMMU in Pretoria.
It will be the last two USSA champions that duel it out with it all on the line in the final match of what has been a gripping inaugural tournament.
There have been 82 goals scored in the 30 matches so far, with not one of them finishing in a 0-0 draw, but all of that will count for little when the two sides take to the pitch.
Tuks will enjoy home advantage, as they did in their tense semifinal victory over NWU, and they will be hoping to make it count against a Madibaz side that have proven that they do not mind travelling.
NMMU are the only side in the tournament that have not lost a game in the opening season, and they will take some valuable momentum from their semifinal victory over TUT into this clash.
There was no separating the sides when they met at the same venue earlier in the season, but a draw will not do in the final, which is set to go straight to penalties if the sides remain deadlocked after 90 minutes.
Tuks may have made a wobbly start to the tournament, but they have bounced back well and with five consecutive wins under their belt they will be feeling confident of taking the title.
However, they will be up against a Madibaz side that will not lie down for anybody, so they can expect a fierce challenge right up to the final whistle.
Prediction: NMMU will fight hard as usual, and this one may just go to penalties but we think Tuks will do enough to win.
Men UP Tuks vs NMMU – 19.00 at Tuks stadium LIVE on SS7
The Ladies final will be a close affair with TUT slight favourites to edge UJ. Our prediction is a hard fought 2:1 to Tshwane’s TUT ladies.
Ladies: TUT vs UJ – 16.30 at Tuks stadium LIVE on SS229 Select
Teams:
UP-Tuks: 26 Tristyn Coetsee, 6 Kabelo Ramongane, 12 Kenneth Matlala, 9 Mbongeni Masilela, 5 Lawrence Ntswane, 3 Claudio Barreiro, 13 Sphelele Khuzwayo, 15 Jarryd van den Berg, 10 Moeketsi Modiba, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 4 Mosa Sesele.
Reserves: 16 Sipho Masemola, 1 Nicholas Stothard, 11 Richard Moremi, 18 Nicholas Killas, 19 Charles Gulwako, 8 Nii-Ordartey Mills, 23 John-Ross Kganane, 14 Keegan Boulle, 7 Luke Steyl
NMMU: 16 Lyndsay Jennings, 20 Lundi Balfour, 13 Vuyolwethu Marele, 22 Niven Kops, 19 Lukhanyo Sompondo, 6 Kurt Duff, 17 Onneetse Leboifo, 8 Lukhanyo Rasmeni, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 7 Leroy van Rensburg, 9 Alexander Owusu.
Reserves: 1 Enver Vogel, 25 Bradley Peterson, 21 Zukisani Mtendeni, 12 Onela Beqezi, 11 Kieran Koert, 4 Peter Thekisho, 3 Andile Mtyingizane.
By Michael de Vries
