Seen Here: The last line. The difference-maker. The wall. Koketso Mokou stood tall when Tuks needed him most, producing a composed performance to help secure the 1–0 victory over UJ. Another big night awaits. Photo Credit: Supplied
Soweto – There will be little time for either Tuks or the University of Johannesburg (UJ) to reset when the two sides meet again on Friday night, with a place in the Varsity Football final at stake.
Just seven days after Tuks handed UJ their first defeat of the tournament with a narrow 1–0 victory, the two Gauteng rivals will renew hostilities in a semifinal showdown in Soweto.
Kick-off is scheduled for 19:15 on Friday, with the winner advancing to the final and the loser seeing their Varsity Football title hopes come to an end.
The repeat fixture adds another layer of intrigue to an already fiercely contested rivalry. Tuks have now reached the Varsity Football semifinals for the ninth time in 13 years, underlining their remarkable consistency in the competition.
Their latest meeting with UJ showed precisely why they remain in contention.
Tuks struck early when an opportunity presented itself and then produced a disciplined defensive performance to protect their advantage. UJ continued to press and created attacking pressure throughout the contest, but Tuks repeatedly disrupted their opponents’ momentum. Goalkeeper Koketso Mokou was eventually rewarded with the Man of the Match accolade for his contribution to the clean sheet.
Seen Here: 🔥 Calm under pressure, fearless in the challenge. Kholofelo Masenamela continues to bring intensity, discipline and determination to the Tuks midfield. A player who never shies away from the big moments. ⚽💪 Photo Credit: Supplied
For Tuks midfielder Samukelo Ngodela, the victory was a product of collective commitment rather than individual brilliance.
“Beating UJ gave us a lot of confidence going into the semifinal,” Ngodela said. “Playing the same team again after seven days will be difficult because they will come with a different mindset, but we know what to expect from them.”
That familiarity could make Friday’s encounter a tactical chess match, with both coaching teams having a recent blueprint of how their opponents approach the game.
Ngodela believes discipline will once again be central to Tuks’ chances.
“The biggest lesson is to stay disciplined, stick to our game plan and take our chances when they come,” he said.
“We know they will come hard at us because they have something to prove, but so do we.”
Seen Here: ⚡ Power, pace and purpose. Risen Albert is proving that every run, every challenge and every touch can change the rhythm of a game. One to watch as Tuks push towards Varsity Football glory. 🔥⚽ Photo Credit: Supplied
History on the line for Tuks
There is also a bigger prize motivating the Tuks players.
The Pretoria side has not won the Varsity Football title in a decade, and Ngodela knows exactly what reaching the final could represent.
“We are one step away from making history. Ten years is a long time, and we know what this opportunity means,” he said.
“Now it’s about fighting for each other, giving everything on the pitch, and leaving nothing behind. We didn’t come this far to be part of the story; we came to make history and bring that Cup home.”
Friday’s semifinal will also add another chapter to a rivalry that has produced closely fought encounters over the years.
Since 2013, Tuks and UJ have met 10 times in the Varsity Football Tournament, with UJ holding a narrow historical advantage of five victories to Tuks’ four. Their 2018 encounter ended in a 1–1 draw.
UJ have twice recorded their biggest victory over Tuks, winning 4–0 in 2015 and 2019, while Tuks’ largest triumph came in a 3–0 victory in 2016. Across those 10 meetings, UJ have scored 14 goals, compared with Tuks’ nine.
Seen Here: 🔥 Calm under pressure, fearless in the challenge. Kholofelo Masenamela continues to bring intensity, discipline and determination to the Tuks midfield. A player who never shies away from the big moments. ⚽💪 Photo Credit: Supplied
Madela spearheads Tuks attack
While Tuks’ defensive organisation proved decisive in their most recent encounter, their attacking numbers have been equally impressive throughout this year’s tournament.
Tuks have scored 13 goals, the highest tally in the competition so far, while UJ have found the net nine times.
Much of Tuks’ attacking threat has come from Ntokozo Madela, who has five goals to his name and has scored in five of the team’s seven matches.
Matome Rangata, with three goals, is Tuks’ second-highest scorer.
Madela’s contribution carries particular significance because this is his final season with Tuks. Since making his debut in 2022, he has helped the team to two USSA Tournament titles, but the Varsity Football crown has remained elusive.
At the beginning of the campaign, Madela made no secret of his determination to make an impact.
“I am going to score goals. I owe it to the team,” he said.
After two difficult seasons disrupted by injuries, Madela entered the tournament with renewed confidence after putting in significant work away from the spotlight.
“For the past two years, I struggled a lot with injuries, which meant I wasn’t at my best on the pitch,” he explained. “Right now, I have no niggles. That gives me a lot of confidence.”
He added that the period away from the spotlight had helped him develop a better understanding of his own game and capabilities.
No room for mistakes
The semifinal setting changes everything.
Last week’s encounter gave Tuks confidence, but it also provides UJ with an opportunity to respond immediately. With both teams now fully aware of each other’s strengths and weaknesses, small details could prove decisive.
For Tuks, the challenge will be to reproduce the defensive discipline that frustrated UJ last week while converting the opportunities that come their way.
For UJ, the task is to find a way through a Tuks defence that has already demonstrated its ability to absorb sustained pressure.
And with a place in the final at stake, neither side can afford a slow start.
The other semifinal will see Wits take on TUT, meaning Friday’s Soweto double-header will determine the two teams that remain in contention for Varsity Football glory.
For Tuks and UJ, however, the equation is simple: seven days after their last battle, they meet again—with a final on the line and no second chance.
