Red Army looking to defend their title

TUT Men’s Football will head into this season’s campaign looking to defend their title as undisputed owners of the Varsity Men’s Football tournament after lifting it for the fourth time last season. Bushy Moloi’s charges defeated coach Karabo Mogudi’s UJ 5-4 on penalties last year, and to make it a much sweeter victory, they did it at the well-manicured pitches of the University of Johannesburg.

The Red Army, as TUT are affectionately labeled and known, have a bullish mentality heading into the Varsity Football tournament having been one of the teams with the most appearances in this beautiful competition and having won it the most alongside their friends and nemesis, the University of Pretoria.

The team’s leader and captain, Thuso Mlamla, says they’re in it to win it.

“The coach always says to us that we have to play nine games, and nine games takes us all the way to the final, that is what we always plan for wabo (you see).  We know it won’t be easy at all because we are not playing against ourselves, but we know what we are capable of,” he said.

“The mood has been very good in camp, we have new players from the TUT campuses, like Emalahleni, Mbombela, Soshanguve and of course the main campus, so we are ready. 

The new players are excited and ready to help us win this trophy; we will work hard to achieve this dream as a team.”

TUT will open their account against the UWC on Thursday evening as they welcome them to the slaughter house in the capital, where men will be separated from boys.

TUT Provisional Squad:

Goalkeepers: Mncedisi Zondo, Gomotsegang Nkuna, Luyanda Mandindi

Defenders: Nhlakanipho Zindela, Andile Malaka, Karabo Rangata, Succeed Matsimbi, Katlego Molobela, Nthokozo Mavimbela, Tebogo Etsane, Amukelani Sekele, Mnqobi Khumalo, Keatlaretse Legweng, Nqubeko Ntimbane. Precious Mohale, Siphesihle Sithole, Tumi Moloi.

Midfielders: Mncedisi Manana, VuyaniNgubane, Minenhle Khanyile, Lesley Letseka, Thobane Ngwenya, Sinqobile Mathumna, Tshiamo Kekana, Keletso Tseka, Risimati Khoza, Anda Yamile (Vice Captain), Thuso Mlambo (Captain), Katlego Motlhale, Madike Semosa, Swazi Kupa, Katlego Kgoete, Qhawe Maseko, Nare Mojapelo, Thabiso Majuba, Tebatso Monyane, Menzukhuthula Ntshangase, Neo Ramaphisa, Manuele Mofokeng, Oupa Mampuru

Strikers: Johannes Baloyi, Mpho Nhlapo, Lesedi Khosi.

Full Fixtures: HERE

Ticket information: HERE

By: Selebalo Karabo Phasha.