TUT hunt for second Varsity Football title
The Varsity Football final will be played at the Wits Stadium in Johannesburg when the home team takes on former champions TUT on Thursday evening.
Wits have never been in a Varsity Football final, nor have they hosted one, and this Wits side hope to make history once again when they host TUT at the Wits Stadium for the Varsity Football final.
The Braamfontein side finished fourth on the Varsity Football table after claiming four wins, one draw and tasted defeat twice in the Round Robin stage.
They were placed against log-leaders and local rivals UJ (University of Johannesburg) at the UJ Soweto campus, with the odds stacked against them. But after a thrilling game ending in 0-0, Wits were able to claim a 4-3 victory on penalties with goal-keeper Matthew Carelse saving two of UJ’s shots.
Their Gauteng rivals will be confident when crossing the Juksei River. TUT have already claimed one star, after defeating UJ 2-1 in the 2016 Varsity Football season. The side guided by star coach Bushy Moloi, won’t be intimidated by the grounds either, considering TUT defeated Wits away 4-2 as recently as Round 7 of the competition.
Wits coach Mark Haskins believes his player’s dedication to the cause gives him confidence ahead of the game.
“We are definitely quietly confident about the game on Thursday, I think we have done well this season. It’s been a big step up since last season, it’s come down to a lot of hard work and I think the boys have realised that hard work is its own reward. Being in the Varsity Football final is a major achievement for us, but we are not happy with just being in the final, we want to compete and give it our best go,” said Haskins.
He is expecting a direct approach from the visitors.
“TUT are a really strong team, they have been to the big show before, and are former champions. It’s going to be a tough game and a physical battle. We know we need to match them in every department,” he predicted.
Wits captain Tshireletso Motsogi explained that his side have out their loss to the Pretoria side earlier in the season behind them.
“We are looking forward to the game. We know it’s not going to be after they managed to defeat us during the round robin stage but it’s going to be a different ball game considering that it’s the final now and we are determined to take the cup. We are ready to protect our home with everything we have,” said Motsogi.
TUT skipper Elliot Seema is taking confidence from the victory in round seven but knows that Wits will present a different challenge in the final.
“We have faced Wits before in the tournament and we won against them. But we know it’s the final and we are not taking anything for granted. We going to Wits to win and nothing else. It’s a good and difficult team to play against especially because it’s do-or-die. We have been preparing well and I think by Thursday we will be ready to take them on,” Seema concluded.
* The Varsity Women’s Football final between TUT and UWC kicks off at 15:00 while the Varsity Men’s Football final kicks off at 18:00 on Thursday 27 September at the Wits Stadium.
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