Tuks and TUT set for Tshwane Derby showdown in Varsity Football final

A possible fourth Varsity Football title is at stake for University of Pretoria (UP Tuks) when they face Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) in Friday night’s Tshwane Derby final.

The match will be only the second final between the two institutions since the competition began in 2013. Tuks won the inaugural title and successfully defended it the following year, but TUT are the competition’s most successful side with four previous championships.

TUT will be seeking a fifth title and an extension of their dominance, while Tuks coach Nicholas Stothard insists his team have shown the greater desire despite both sides facing difficulties during the season.

TUT head coach Bushy Moloi told SABC Sport last week, before his team’s semi-final against Wits, that TUT were the hungriest of the four remaining teams. He also said they were the only institution to have experienced “difficult moments” that had set them back during the campaign.

Stothard disagrees with that assessment, pointing to the challenges Tuks have faced during a project that has developed over the past three years rather than judging the current season on its own.

“You know, we’ve had dark periods within our project for the last three years. We’ve had some highs. We’ve had some lows, and we’ve come out on top of that. We’ve also lost our left back, which was a dark period for us, and we’ve had to adapt. The hunger is clear from our side, and you’ll see that on Friday. The hunger of the two sides will be evident on Friday,” he said.

Attack could decide final

Stothard believes Tuks’ attacking threat could prove decisive at Tuks Stadium.

His side have scored 14 goals in eight matches on their way to the final, compared with TUT’s 12. Tuks have also conceded only six goals, while TUT have allowed 10, and have kept four clean sheets during their run.

Stothard has personal experience of winning the competition, having lifted the trophy as a player and later as an assistant coach in 2017. He views reaching the final in his first season as head coach as a significant achievement.

The coach has also won two USSA titles during the past three years. However, the Varsity Football championship remains the major honour missing from his record, and victory on Friday would put that right.

The final between the Tshwane rivals will take place at Tuks Stadium on Friday, with kick-off scheduled for 19h00.

Photo credit: Catherine Kotze/Asemengage