Mavundla leads DUT’s new generation in 2026 Varsity Football season

With only nine players of the 28 provisional squad members having prior Varsity Football experience, the youthful Durban University of Technology (DUT) team faces a major test of character and resilience as they step onto the national stage for the 2026 Varsity Football edition.

These are the sentiments echoed by newly appointed young DUT Head Coach, Andile Mavundla.

“Our attitude this season is that whatever we were last year, we want to be better. We have a lot of new faces, and at the same time it’s a lot of young guys. Even so, our main target for this year is to be better,” said Mavundla.

Mavundla is no stranger to the Varsity Football competition as well as the culture of the men in black and white of DUT, as the tactician has been involved with DUT Football’s mentorship since their first season of the Varsity Diski campaign back in 2024, including his role as Assistant Coach of the same team last season.

For the past seasons since their debut, DUT have had it difficult in the #Iyachesa competitions and with this being their third consecutive appearance in the competition, the KZN side clearly admits that they have another mountain to climb as their first match of this season, against University of Limpopo, fast approaches.

“Of course, like any other team, our preparations can never be enough. However, we have done our part and we have no complaints,” he said.

“We are going into the first match feeling confident, it will be a test of our resilience.”

The men from KwaZulu-Natal will be without their towering strong defender Xolani Mkhonza this year, the important skipper who’s goal against UJ last year earned the KZN team their only point last season after a surprising 1-1 draw in Joburg.

Despite departures from the likes of Mkhonza and other key figures, the leadership vacuum is expected to be firmly filled by the exciting rising talent that remains in the team such as shot-stopper, Sekwanele Mtolo, who has since been giving the go-ahead in the captaincy role.

DUT Provisional Squad

Samkelo Zulu, Smangaliso Delwa, Sekwanele Mtolo, Mbulelo Mavuso, Luyanda Ntuli, Philasande Shabalala, Zethembe Dlamini, Nqubeko Magoso, Sibonginhlanhla Hlatshwayo, Thalente Mjilo, Lusiba Dlamini, Sandile Mazeka, Thembinkosi Mchunu, Sandiso Xaba, Bonga Mthembu, Fanelesibonge Ndwandwe, Awande Buthelezi, Mandisi Ndlovu, Ntokozo Ndlovu, Kwanele Vilakazi, Asanda Dube, Nkululeko Nkosi, Nkosiyezwe Buthelezi, Samkelo Maduma, Ayanda Maphumulo, Lwazi Mweli, Prince Msibi, Nqobile Dlamini.Xaba, Bonga Mthembu, Fanelesibonge Ndwandwe, Awande Buthelezi, Mandisi Ndlovu, Ntokozo Ndlovu, Thalente Mkhize, Khulekani Nxumalo, Ayanda Maphumulo, Asanda Dube, Nkululeko Nkosi, Nkosiyezwe Buthelezi, Samkelo Maduma, Nqobile Dlamini, Kwanele Vilakazi, Mbulelo Mavuso, Prince Msibi.

Fixtures: HERE  

Tickets: HERE 

By: Mpendulo Letsoalo