The Tuks men’s football team lost out for the second consecutive year in a penalty shootout during the USSA Tournament.
Yesterday in Port Elizabeth during the quarterfinals it was the University of the Western Cape’s “sharpshooters” who spoiled the fun for the Tuks. Last year’s final between Tuks and TUT was also decided in a penalty shootout. TUT was victorious.
Tlisane Motaung (coach) was justifiably disappointed with the loss against the team from the Western Cape, but he was also realistic.
“Experience made me realise that a penalty shootout is just like the lottery. There is always a chance to win, but the opportunity to lose is as high. It was not as if we were not prepared for the eventuality that one of our games could end up in a penalty shootout.
"We did practice for it, but the reality is that it is one thing to succeed with a penalty during training and something entirely different during a game. Nerves definitely come into play during a game especially when you get to the playoffs. The two players who missed yesterday scored without fail during practice.
“I don’t coach teams to lose, but overall I am not too unhappy with the player’s performance during the USSA Tournament. In five games we did not concede a single goal. We beat Northwest Vaal 1-0, Wits 1-0, Vaal University of Technology 1-0 and played to 0-0 draw against the University of Zululand. Against the Western Cape, the score was also 0-0 after extra-time.
“What especially impressed me as to how the players were able to adapt their game plan to the conditions especially during the first two days when it was seriously windy.
“I was able to experiment a bit trying certain combinations during the USSA Tournament as part of our preparation to defend the Varsity-title, and I am happy with what I had seen.”
Motaung is always hesitant to single out specific players, but he can’t help to get excited by the way Sabelo Tsambo played.
“People who would have seen Sabelo play possibly would not have believed it when told that he was playing his first USSA Tournament. He played as if he belongs from the moment he stepped onto the field. Jurgen Booysen and Nhlanhla Mabaso were also impressive throughout the tournament.”
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