UFS gunning for a home semi-final

Siraj Kamedien
Sep 17
2 min read

The UFS Kovsies will be gunning for a home semi-final in Varsity Football on Thursday when they host the TUT in Bloemfontein in the final round before the playoffs.

UFS have already booked their place in the semi-finals after last week’s 1–0 win over Wits, but the real prize would be securing the semi on home soil. That won’t be easy though, as TUT are four-time champions who know how to handle pressure.

The team from Tshwane are still in with a shout of making the semis themselves and will arrive in Bloemfontein firing on all cylinders.

For UFS to reach this stage is already a remarkable achievement. Their coach, Mokete Tsotetsi, only took charge a few days before the tournament kicked off. Despite a slow start, the Kovsies have gone on an impressive four-match winning streak.

Tsotetsi believes the turnaround has been down to time, hard work from the players, and their willingness to buy into his philosophy.

“We started slowly as we got to know each other and as the players began to understand my philosophy. The fitness levels I wanted also weren’t quite there at first, which explains the slow start,” said the former Bloemfontein Celtic centre-back.

“But once the boys understood what I wanted from them and realised what they were capable of, they started to express themselves much better going forward — and the results followed.”

Although a home semi-final is now within reach, Tsotetsi insists the focus is firmly on Thursday’s clash with TUT.

“We’re definitely concentrating on this game. We’re up against TUT, who are, if I’m not mistaken, four-time champions. So, we know it’s going to be tough, and we’ll have to give it everything. Hopefully, it will be enough to secure that home semi-final.

“But overall, I’m happy with the performance and dedication from the boys. They’ve improved a lot technically and tactically and shown that they are quality and committed players.”

Thursday’s all-important Round 7 clash kicks off at 17:00 at Shimla Park in Bloemfontein.

Fixtures: HERE 

Tickets: HERE.