UP-Tuks ensured they are one step closer to qualifying for the Varsity Football semi-finals by beating CUT at home 2-1 last night.
The result means that the UP-Tuks is now sixth on the log. More importantly, is that the point’s difference between the first six teams is only three, so there is still everything to play for in the last two round-robin encounters.
The home team impressed with their attacking style of play during the first half. The continuous pressure eventually led to the CUT defenders being caught napping.
Deservedly it was Nhlanhla Mabaso who got to score the first goal for UP-Tuks. The striker had been going through a bad patch where he started to doubt his abilities. Mabaso is the sort of player who firmly believes a striker is on the field to do one thing, and that is to score goals. Not doing so means he is letting his teammates down.
Getting to at long last put the ball into the back was a mind-set changer for him.
"I would not lie. I started the game with a heavy heart, not really motivated to play. But then I scored. Seeing my teammates' jubilation made me realise that the game is more significant than any player's personal feelings or frustrations.
"We should never forget why we play. Every time we don the coveted 'striped jersey' it is to make everyone at the University of Pretoria, from the cleaners to the top management proud. That is why last night was so special to me.
"At long last, being able to break the jinx that prevented me from scoring means from now on, I will be more confident when I take to the field."
Mabaso credited the UP-Tuks victory to a 100% team effort.
"We all had one goal. That was to the three points to assure we stay in the hunt to contest the playoffs. What was exciting is that during the first half, we executed our team tactics to perfection."
Mogau Khwinana also scored for UP-Tuks during the first half.
Giovanni Idi (UP-Tuks goalkeeper) feels it is a pity that the team has not capitalised more on their dominance during the first half.
"But then again we won. In the end, that is all that matters. It is a pity that we conceded a goal in the dying minutes of the game."
Next Thursday UP-Tuks is playing away against UKZN. Judging by the results so far, it is the ideal game in which UP-Tuks can improve their goal deficit. At the moment, the team has scored five goals and conceded eight.
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