It was a hard pill to swallow for NWU Pukke as they came so close but yet so far in the 2-0 loss against TUT in the final match of Varsity Football round seven played at the Fanie du Toit Sport Grounds tonight.
The freezing wind was a forerunner of what was to come for NWU Pukke as they froze in front of their home crowd against a TUT team who had the better of them on the night.

It was clear to see that the weather was definitely going to be a factor in this match from early on as rain started drizzling down before kickoff. The rain eventually kept away but the wind did not as it left the stadium and its fans in a chillier mood than normal.

This might have also had an effect on the team as they seemed static in attack against a resolute TUT defence led by Thabang Masiteng and Khomotso Ledwaba.

NWU Pukke’s regular playmakers, Gontse Pitso and Patrick Lebitsa had no space to work their magic and were left frustrated. TUT on the other hand created numerous chances with long swirling balls on the left flank, where Itumeleng Mogotsi made many attacking runs.

Both team had great chances to open the scoring in the first half with Pukke getting close on one particular occasion. Indecisive decision making from Thabang Mothloko and Falakhe Ponoshe made it easier to TUT to suppress the attacking threat.

Pukke would rue this wasted opportunity as TUT scored the opening goal from a corner with Thabang Mahlangu delivering a crisp header. The power and direction left Pukke’s keeper Mojalefa Magabe stranded like a statue.

NWU Pukke coach, Michael Seleka now needed his team to be more attacking as they needed two goals in the last 30 minutes.
This however backfired as it left gaps in defence which TUT brilliantly exploited throughout the night with long ball that were aided with a strong wind.

TUT put the final nail in Pukke’s coffin and sealed the curtain on their hopes when Mogotsi doubled TUT’s advantage.
At that stage fans began leaving their seats – well knowing that the end of their Varsity Football adventure was over.

The final whistle was only an anti-climax on a campaign that will be filled with a lot of great moments and “what ifs?” after three successive defeats could have easily ended in wins for NWU Pukke. They finish in fifth place on 9 points.

Seleka was honourable in defeat and acknowledges that TUT took their chances and deserved to win the encounter based on that.
“Hard luck for our team tonight because we fought hard and could have won the game if chances had gone our way in the first half.”

He also emphasised the need for the team to pick themselves up for next year’s tournament.
“We will need to work hard on our fitness and skill level during the off season. We will be back and better next year,” he expressed.