University of Pretoria Football Club (Tuks) U19s returned to winning ways with a 1–0 away victory over Randburg Football Club.

After the Bayhill Easter tournament loss, Randburg shifted focus to a tightly contested Gauteng Development League match against Tuks. Randburg started positively, kept possession, and moved the ball well. Despite home advantage and chances, poor finishing cost them early.

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The hosts were frustrating Tuks, pressing them high up and forcing them to make mistakes on their half. Big chances fell for Patrick Chisungu and Sipho Muntanga, but they were unable to give Randburg a lead.

As the half progressed, the visitors gained momentum and found their rhythm. Tuks youngsters gained confidence and started to play well together. They threatened with a well-executed transition, but goalkeeper Luke Holden produced a big save to keep the score level. The visitors closed down the Randburg attack, and, on a swift counterattack, Zamisani Khoza put it past Holden to give his team a 1–0 lead.

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In the second half, Tuks displayed disciplined defending, staying compact and organised. Randburg pushed forward in search of an equaliser, but despite their efforts, they were unable to break through the resolute defence.

Tuks coach Lehlohonolo Ramuki was pleased with the results and for not conceding a goal. He explained it was a tight encounter, and Randburg could have scored at least two or three goals, but the chance that they had in the first half sealed the game. “We defended well. We’ve conceded so many goals, so the fact that we came out with a clean sheet for me is a positive. We wanted to be solid at the back as we also knew that they were going to hit us with the long balls, and we were prepared.”

The victory will be a confidence booster for Tuks as they look to build a winning momentum in the league. “The fact that we’re scoring, and we didn’t concede, is a big boost. The biggest challenge is that we’re creating a lot of chances, but we weren’t winning. Now we created, and we scored, and we won. It can only make the momentum even better, and that’s what we’re looking for now. We just want momentum now.”

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