TUT face Wits test in bid for ninth Varsity Football final

Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) will have to overcome table-toppers Wits if they are to reach a ninth Varsity Football final on Friday evening.

TUT are the tournament’s most successful team, having won the title four times from eight previous final appearances. Their first triumph came in 2016, when they defeated the University of Johannesburg 2-1.

Their most recent final victory also came against UJ, with TUT claiming the 2023 title.

The Tshwane side finished fourth in this year’s round-robin phase with 10 points, while Wits ended the league stage at the top of the standings on 16 points.

The semi-final will be played at Wits Stadium, where TUT suffered a 2-0 defeat against their opponents in round six on 11 September.

TUT head coach Bushy Moloi believes that result was shaped partly by the absence of first-choice goalkeeper Luyanda Mandindi, who was injured. However, Moloi also acknowledged that his team failed to take its chances.

“When we lost against Wits, we did not have our keeper and it was really difficult for us to come through. We missed a lot of chances, like I said they have never been shocked and for us we have passed through that stage, will they be able to cope this time around? Are they mentally strong? I am not sure, but we need to make sure of all the missed opportunities, we need to bury them this time around,” said Moloi.

Moloi says the challenges TUT have faced during the campaign have strengthened the team and helped his players understand the importance of the remaining fixtures.

He also believes his side are more determined than the other three teams still competing for the title.

“It has been a positive one for all the top four teams. For us, we have gone through difficult moments and that actually helped us and also the players to realise how important it is. I think for these reasons we have grown from where we were when we started to where we are now. We are stronger, more dedicated and more hungry than all the other teams.”

TUT will need to produce a different result at Wits Stadium if they are to continue their pursuit of a fifth Varsity Football title. The semi-final is scheduled to begin at 17hoo on Friday, 25 September.