If there is one team who knows how to overcome challenges to win matches then it is TUT.
During the Varsity Football semi-finals double header, The Red Machine again managed to win a match even when they were not at their best. UP-Tuks were the better side at UWC Stadium but flew back north with no final to look forward to
After TUT initially settled first to the blustery and difficult under-foot conditions due to the inclement weather, UP-Tuks found their rhythm better through the first half and deserved their lead.
TUT coach Bushy Moloi was forced into changing formation in the second half but it was only late on when they found an equaliser and took the match into the lottery of a penalty shootout.
Step forward their talismanic goalkeeper Sikhumbuzo Ncube… saving three penalties to book TUT a fifth straight Varsity Football final and chance to win back-to-back titles
The hero of the day said they had challenges travelling to Cape Town as they arrived on the match day and they didn’t have enough time to rest and to prepare.
“It wasn’t easy catching the flight on the day of the match and later on you play but at least we managed to give it our all and we have managed to advance to the finals,” Ncube told varsitysportssa.com.
Once the match reached the penalty shootout, the Limpopo-born shot-stopper was determined to prove why he earned a professional contract only a year ago.
“I couldn’t let the team down after such hard work to get an equaliser, so with blessings from God we managed to advance to the semi-finals.,” revealed the 22-year-old who picked up his fifth Debonairs Real Deal Save of the Match award for the season thanks to his efforts..
Ncube and Red Machine teammates will have a week off to recharge their batteries before facing NWU on in the 2019 Varsity Football final on Thursday, 26 September NWU-Mafikeng stadium. The match will be televised live on SuperSport 2014 at 18:00.
By Lakhe Thwala
