TUT keeper Luyanda Mandindi says the Red Army is gunning for their 5th star this season

Veteran TUT shot stopper Luyanda Mandindi is looking to continue his impressive run in Varsity Football 2025. Though he acknowledges that they did not start well last season, the Red Army goalie has not conceded a goal this season and says that is what pushes him to do even better.

“We really started very well compared to last year, we did not have depth in our squad, and we did not demand more from the lads. This year we have core players and depth so we will do well. My plan is to keep at least five clean sheets because it brings confidence in the team,” said Mandindi.

“We are gunning for a fifth star, we need to always stay positive and push to win all games.”

Varsity Football has paved the way to professional football over the years, for Mandindi the goal is still to make it professional. The Tembisa born keeper is inspired by Mzansi’s greatest Itumeleng Khune and just like his icon, Mandindi started playing football as a striker before being the trusted soldier in between the sticks.

“It all started back home in Tembisa, I remember I was only 10-years old and playing for a team called Mighty Tigers, one day the keeper could not come for training. The coach asked who I can trust in goal and raised my hand,” he said.

“From there everything went accordingly, all I know now is being a goalkeeper. Although it demands a lot I am enjoying it. The aim is to make it professional and play in the PSL. Varsity Football is important because it gives us an imperative platform to showcase our talent. It is an easy way to the PSL.”

“My debut was nice even though I had mixed emotions because it was my first time and I had to fill the big boots of Skhumbuzo Mncube whom had done greatly in the previous seasons. Football changed my life a lot, it was the first playing on TV and that was dream come true for me.

“The game against CUT we are looking forward to collecting all three points and score more goals so we can go on top of the log. This only thing that kept me going is last year’s performance, it was really bad, so I had to reflect and look back and see where I went wrong. I conceded a lot of goals, so this year is for me to redeem myself and remind people who am I.” concluded Mandindi.

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 By: Lehlogonolo Ditshego