TUT break UP-Tuks' hearts to reach fifth straight final

It came down to penalties, but TUT once again got the better of cross-town rivals UP-Tuks by out-shooting them 3-2 (1-1 fulltime) to clinch Thursday’s Varsity Football semifinal.

By emerging victorious, TUT now have four straight wins against their Pretoria neighbours but, more impressively, a fifth straight Varsity Football final now awaits.

The Red Machine started the match the better of the two outfits, settling into the blustery conditions at UWC Sports Stadium.

That said, coach Bushy Moloi's charges failed to create clear openings – even if UP-Tuks goalkeeper Giovanni Idi had one or two nervy moments under the high ball.

Slowly but surely, the Stripe Generation gained a foothold in the match and when Mathuane Selotola headed just over 21 minutes in it served as a warning sign to TUT.

UP-Tuks were nearly called into an early substitute when returning captain Simbongile Njokwe came off second-best in a challenge.

However, in the 33rd minute (mere seconds after he returned to the field), his team took the lead.

Mogau Khwinana accurately whipped in a free-kick and Jerry Tlou guided it past Sikhumbuzo Ncube.

That it came, fortuitously, off Tlou’s back meant little to the celebrating team.

TUT seemed a little shell-shocked as they failed to string effectively moves together, while UP-Tuks tried their hand at doubling their lead before halftime with pot-shots – unsuccessfully so.

The second half proved a cagey affair with TUT pushing and pushing but UP-Tuks' rearguard held firm. Intriguingly, their ‘keeper had handed goal-kicking duties over to left-back Sabelo Tsambo whose efforts sailed deep into TUT's half.

As time was creeping away, TUT started calling on more than their dangerous attackers to try find an opening. In the 78th centre-back Boipelo Molale struck a free-kick against the wall before – decisively – his partner struck a long-ranger two minutes later to level matters.

Moloi saw that as the opportune moment to make a double substitution, hoping that UP-Tuks would falter on the back of conceding. It was not to be and the the referee blew for fulltime with the score stuck at 1-1.

Cue penalties.

Almost immediately Ncube showed why he already has a goalkeeper of the tournament award at home and a professional contract signed.

He saved UP-Tuks' opening spot-kick from Khwinana and two others from The Stripe Generation's star performers –Tlou and Tsambo – to give TUT the best chance possible of defending their title – another final appearance.

TUT (0) 1 Mogau Mphahlele

UP-TUKS (1) 1 Jerry Tlou

FNB Player of the Match: Sabelo Tsambo (UP-Tuks)
Debonairs Pizza Real Deal Save of the Match: Sikhumbuzo Ncube (TUT)
MTN Pulse Moment of Brilliance: Mogau Mphahlele (TUT)