The University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks) managed to net seven goals, of which four were scored in stoppage time.
Tuks have produced a dramatic turnaround. Led by the youngest coach in this year’s edition, Nicholas Stothard, the Stripe Generation managed to turn things around from losing the first two matches to securing three consecutive victories.
“Varsity Football has been a nurturing platform for both players and coaches. Young coaches have proven to be capable of winning the competition or to at least come close in the last nine years,” Stothard told Varsity Football.
“Evangelos Vellios with Tuks, Bradley Carnell with UJ and Mapitika at NWU have proven that it is possible to compete with new and innovative ideas. I do hope to follow in their footsteps.”
UP-Tuks had a horrible start to the season suffering a 0-3 defeat away to UFS Kovsies in the first round. Their hopes were further dented when they lost 1-3 at home against defending champions UJ in the second round.
However, Stothard’s troops managed to revive themselves when they clinched a last-minute win against NWU in round three. They again needed two injury-time goals against VUT to secure their second victory of the season.
In round five, the Pretoria-based side met TUT in a gruelling Tshwane derby where Tuks got their first ever win at home against their fierce rivals, again scoring the winner in the very last minute when substitute Marco Giuricich connected to a pin-point cross to give Tuks a third consecutive victory.
“The Belief and character that the boys have continued to show are second to none. It is no secret that this is the case with all Tuks Sports teams and athletes. We have a culture of winning. But that being said, the ‘never say die attitude is entrenched in our DNA as a university,” explained Stothard.
“My job is to continue to remind our lads of that culture. However, for them to do it continuously is quite remarkable, and credit has to go to them for taking what we stand for, to another level.
“I think its belief, the word is belief. It is no fluke, people say we are lucky. We can’t be lucky, you create your luck in this game. Scoring in the last minutes is a consequence of our hard work.”
Tuks are currently fourth on the log, with nine points from five matches. They welcome struggling UKZN on Thursday afternoon at the Tuks Stadium.
UKZN travel north rooted at the bottom of the log and are yet to register a win in this year’s Varsity Football edition.
“There is a very fine line between confidence and complacency. We will go into the match with well-earned confidence while having our guard up against a team that I think is well-improved under the new coaching staff.
“They have nothing to lose. Which makes the match even more difficult. We will need to put in a good performance. No one is ever entitled to win a football match, you need to earn it.
“I’m not too worried about goal difference, I think if we can win the next two games we get a home semi-final and that’s all that matters,” concluded Stothard.
Tuks host UKZN in the early kick-off on Thursday at 17:00. The match will be live broadcast on SuperSport 4.
You can get information on how to get tickets here.
By Lehlogonolo Ditshego.
