A 3-0 victory over Wits was enough to see TUT secure home advantage in the Varsity Football play-offs after ending the league phase of the tournament unbeaten.
The Pretoria outfit scored two goals in the first half and one in the second to secure the win and top spot on the standings, whilst Wits ended their campaign with another disappointing result which sees them finish in seventh place.
TUT took control of the game early on, running hard at the Wits defence and pushing them onto the back foot by taking a direct aproach.
The hosts nearly took the lead from a free kick, but a desperate header from Wits defender Markus Lecki saw the ball fly over the bar.
There were opportunities at either end of the pitch as first TUT striker Botshelo Mfulwane put a header over the bar before Wits’ Phenyo Mongalo scuffed a shot after finding himself in space.
However, Mfulwane got another opportunity shortly afterwards and made no mistake as he rose to meet the cross and buried it in the back of the net to put TUT 1-0 up.
With the hosts throwing so many players forward there was plenty of space for Wits to operate in on attack and they managed to test TUT goalkeeper King Ndlovu on a few occasions.
However, it was TUT who would score next with Selby Madibana following up well on a scorching shot that was spilled by Wits goalkeeper Paulos Mohale to tuck the goal away.
Despite TUT’s dominance the visitors still created some great chances of their own, beating the offside trap a few times, but they could not find the final touch that would lead to a goal and went into half-time 2-0 down.
The second half was much tighter as the tempo of the first 45 minutes caught up with the players, but it only took 15 minutes before TUT were able to add to their lead as Andrew Mashigo lashed home a volley from outside the box to make it 3-0.
That goal put the game beyond Wits and it showed as they dropped off the pace. TUT did their best to add to their tally but it was not to be as they cruised to victory.
Man of the match: Khuliso Rashamuse
The scorers:
For TUT: Botshelo Mfulwane, Selby Madibana, Andrew Mashigo
Teams:
TUT: 18 Solly Matlou, 19 Mbongeni Mpanza, 8 Kgotso Mohlomi, 5 Elliot Seema, 2 Themba Nkosi, 12 Khomotso Selemela, 4 Khuliso Rashamuse, 10 Andrew Mashigo, 16 Selby Madibana, 15 Doctor Radebe, 9 Botshelo Mfulwane.
Reserves: 23 Motlogeleng Gininda, 13 Oneth Mhangwana, 11 Sizwe Khumalo, 6 Sidney Seromo, 20 Sanele Sikhakhane, 7 Sonwabiso Busakwe, 17 Sibusiso Simelane.
Wits: 1 Paulos Mohale, 4 Nelson Mwale, 5 Markus Lecki, 15 Muzimkhulu Nhlengethwa, 3 Fulufhelani Munyai, 11 Neo Makua, 17 Bandile Mathandela, 14 Sanele Njoko, 7 Keorpetse Molete, 9 Phuti Leboho, 8 Phenyo Mongalo.
Reserves: 22 Joseph Mushi, 2 Manuel Makafane, 6 Tebogo Digoamaje, 18 Innocent Magasela, 10 Zachary Cohen, 24 Tshepo Motsukunyane, 23 Daniel Ferreira.
