TUT ended UP-Tuks’ dominance in Varsity Football after they beat the defending champions 4-1 on penalties in the first semifinal on Thursday.

TUT keeper King Ndlovu was the hero on day when he, after a fantastic performance in regular time, scored and saved two penalty kicks. TUT will now await the winners of the other semifinal between UWC and Wits to see who they will play in the Final.

After a positive start by TUT in the opening minutes, it was Tuks who had the first real opportunity to open the scoring, however Tebogo Galane could get no power behind his header in the third minute after a great cross by Claudio de Almeida.

Tuks continued to put more pressure on the TUT goal and Jeremiah Nkwana tried his luck in front of goal from long range, but his shot went over the crossbar. A couple of minutes later Lindsay Stowman found himself with just the TUT keeper to beat in the 13th minute, but King Ndlovu pulled out a great save.

Galane had another great chance in the 26th minute after he beat the TUT keeper to the ball in the air after a cross but the ball just missed the away team’s goal.

TUT looked more dangerous with possession towards the end of the half and they had some great chances to score but were caught offside on a number of occasions in the final third. Thabang Masiteng did have a clear shot at the Tuks goal, but it was well saved by Dylan Patterson.

A few minutes later it was the turn of De Almeida to have a shot at goal, but it went just wide of the TUT goal.

Nkwana was then given a chance from the free kick spot after Ndlovu handled the ball outside his box. However, the away team put up a good defensive wall which deflected the shot away from goal.

Both teams started the second half brightly and there were chances at either end of the park. Mogotsi fluffed a shot in the Tuks final third before Nicholas Killas’ shot at the other end of the park never troubled the TUT keeper.

Stowman should have scored in the 61st first minute after he got on the end of a Galane ball in the final third, but his shot went wide as well. Ten minutes later he had another shot, but it was easy dealt with by the TUT keeper on his goal line

The game turned into an arm wrestle in the final 15 minutes with both teams threatening to score on a couple of occasions. In the end both teams had settle for the dreaded penalty kicks.

It was TUT who held their nerve during the penalty kicks and Ndlovu showed just why he is regarded as one of the best young keepers in this county. He gave his team the advantage after getting the first score before saving Nkwana’s shot. Tuks never recovered after that and only managed one more score with TUT firing home each of their penalty kicks.

Samsung Super Striker: King Ndlovu

FNB Man of the Match: Lindsay Stowman

Scorers:

For UP-Tuks: None

For TUT: None

Yellow Card: Simbongile Njokwe (UP-Tuks), King Ndlovu (TUT)

Teams:

UP-Tuks: 32 Dylan Patterson, 3 Robin Swartz (captain), 8 Nicholas Killas, 13 Lindsay Stowman, 12 Phuthego Mabitsela, 21 Khumbulani Siluma, 15 Claudio De Almeida, 5 Simbongile Njokwe, 4 Lawrence Ntswane, 10 Jeremiah Nkwana, 14 Tebogo Galane.
Substitutes: 1 Jason Stanton, 11 Richard Moremi, 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 17 Katlego Motlhatsang, 16 Wandile Makhanya, 9 Mbongeni Masilela, 19 Frank Mpedi.

TUT: 1 King Ndlovu, 17 Thabang Motau, 3 Khomotso Ledwaba, 15 Phineas Raphela, 5 Elliot Seema (captain), 6 Sipho Sibiya, 10 Itumeleng Mogotsi, 7 Selby Madibana, 9 Themba Ndlovu, 12 Masonwabe Sokanyile, 16 Tshepo Simelane
Substitutes: 20 Lloyd Morulane, 4 Rorisang Rapelang, 2 Thabang Masiteng, 13 Thabang Mahlangu, 18 Mogau Mphahlele, 23 Sidney Seromo, 8 Thato Santos.