Wits looking to strengthen home semi-final hopes with win against TUT

A hard-fought 2-1 victory over a physical UP-Tuks side in cold and rainy Johannesburg has handed Wits a crucial boost as they look to strengthen their semi-final hopes.

With the tournament reaching a decisive stage, Wits will take that momentum into their clash against TUT on 11 September, knowing another positive result could keep their title ambitions firmly alive.

Their second derby fixture was the perfect result coming off a 2-0 loss to UJ previously. Though, their upcoming clash against TUT will be the decider for the home team as a positive result will cement their spot in the semis for the first time since 2018.

“We want to win the next one, then fate is in your own hands. We had to come back from the UJ loss. Once you get the points, then you are in control. It is always trying to go to the next game with a bit of humility. We’re not sure what’s going to happen in the TUT game,” said head coach Thanduxolo Zulu.

“It’s not easy to come back from losing. Even last season, when we had bad patches, it was difficult to get the performances for the next game. For us against TUT, a very good opponent who we know, we’re going to study them like we did Tuks, go through the details and work on our strengths.”

The focus shifts fast to their next semi-final spots now moves to three remaining with UJ officially qualified. Wits, now at second on the log, will look to secure all three points on offer.

“I’ve always said teams like TUT, Tuks, and UJ have got a pedigree to go all the way in the competition. We knew Tuks are good away from home in this campaign, so we had to be very measured in what we’re doing.

“It’s always good to beat teams like Tuks, and we’ll use that confidence going into the next game against TUT. And we send messages to our supporters to keep coming in their numbers when we have good performances like this. They really have kept us going,” said the coach. 

Fixtures: HERE

Tickets: HERE

By: Khomotso Makgabutlane