UP-Tuks have named their match day team to face UWC in Round 2 of Varsity Football action, making just one change for the crucial clash.
Nhlanhla Mabaso will make way for Siphamandla Ntuli, a former Mamelodi Sundowns development player, up front against the Cape side who, like the Stripe Generation, also lost their 2019 opener.
Last week UP-Tuks succumbed to neighbours TUT, continuing a trend which is starting to frustrate the team according to head coach, Tlisane Motaung.
“We are disappointed with the result against TUT as the trend continues. It really puts us under pressure as we seem to start on the back foot in every Varsity Football competition. We now have to make up for it against UWC who are also hurting from their loss against UFS so it is going to be a difficult match,” the fourth-year mentor says.
In truth, UP-Tuks cannot be faulted for their efforts against the defending champions. That said, they’ll need to capitalise on their chances against UWC – who at least managed to bag two goals in their own one goal loss to Kovsies.
“The thing is that we did not play badly against TUT,” Motaung asserts.
“We dominated large parts of possession and territory but we could not convert our chances into goals. This has been the theme of the week as we simply cannot win if we do not score goals.”
UP-Tuks vs UWC: 16 Giovanni Idi (GK), 7 Jurgen Booysen, 5 Simbongile Njokwe (capt), 3 Sabelo Tsambo, 8 Wandile Dlamini, 20 Katlego Motlhatsang, 15 Siphamandla Ntuli, 24 Jerry Tlou, 26 Mathuane Selotola, 10 Mogau Khwinana, 11 Lebohang Montueli.
Replacements: 18 Tyler Den Heyer (GK), 4 Edward Rankwe, 22 Curtis Mathebula, 14 Ross Marshall, 25 Sive Mfala, 9 Nhlanhla Mabaso, 2 Tobatsi Roets.
Thursday’s clash at Tuks Stadium will kick off at 18:30 and tickets are available for just R10 via the Varsity Sports App, downloadable from the Apple Store on iOS devices or Google Play Store for Android users. Alternatively, follow match updates on our Varsity Diski social media platforms.
By Dan Lombard
