UP-Tuks will back familiarity within and home ground advantage when they face the CUT in a crucial Round 5 clash on Thursday evening.
Head coach, Tlisane Motaung is happy with how his charges performed against their North-West opponents last week and has opted to keep the UP-Tuks matchday squad unchanged ahead of their clash with the men from Bloemfontein.
“I’m proud of how the players performed against NWU. It is not easy to get any points against them at home so for us to return with a point was pleasing,” Motaung tells varsityssportssa.com looking back at their 1-1 draw in Mafikeng.
“As such, the team will stay the same as we prepare to face CUT. The players are beginning to gel as a unit and we do not want to disrupt the combinations.”
UP-Tuks are wary of the danger that CUT present as they are coming off a solid 2-0 win in the Free State derby against UFS Kovsies but Motaung is confident that the Stripe Generation will do what is needed to be done. Motaung’s team currently sit in seventh place, on four points, while CUT are in third… but only two points better off – highlighting how quickly playoff places can come and go.
“Obviously CUT are pretty upbeat following their impressive performance against UFS and will target us as a potential three points,” Motaung believes.
“We know what is needed to be done and if we can take our opportunities then I don’t see why we cannot pull off a win.”
UP-Tuks (vs CUT): 16. Giovanni Idi (GK), 7. Jurgen Booysen, 3. Sabelo Tsambo, 23. Chinedu Okolo, 8. Wandile Dlamini, 11. Lebohang Montueli, 10. Mogau Khwinana, 20. Katlego Motlhatsang (capt), 26. Mathuane Selotola, 15. Siphamandla Ntuli, 9. Nhlanhla Mabaso.
Replacements: 18. Tyler Den Heyer (GK), 2. Tobatsi Roets, 4. Edward Rankwe, 14. Ross Marshall, 22. Curtis Mathebula, 24. Jerry Tlou, 25. Sive Mfala.
The all-important encounter between the UP-Tuks and CUT will kick-off at 18:30, and tickets are available on the Varsity Sports App (available on iOS and Android stores) as well as here: https://varsitysportsa.plankton.mobi/
By Dan Lombard
