Young TUT squad aiming for 5th Varsity Football title

TUT head coach and Varsity Football’s most decorated coach Bushy Moloi expects a dominant season and a lot more competitive tournament after the disappointment after losing last year's final to UFS on penalties. The Red Army will open their 2026 campaign against UJ the Orange Army for Gauteng bragging rights encounter.

The record time champions are aiming to a fifth star, in a season that sees University of Limpopo (UL) making a return in the competition. Moloi alludes the competitiveness of the tournament and how they managed to stay afloat and cement their supremacy.

“I have seen lots of universities going out and coming in and so we are not interested in any movements because we have not seen TUT missing out so far. TUT will remain the only army that has not tasted such and we remain humble of the process and progress of developing our players,” said Moloi.

The Red Army will take on the Orange Army in a much-anticipated clash. Moloi establish that the tournament does not care of how you start but it is rather about how you finish. Moloi did not hold back talking about his troops’ readiness.

“We have always maintained that we lead with pride and dignity hence the mood is balanced. As leaders we are finalizing ourselves and will be ready for Friday when we play the favourite team UJ,” he said.

“Ninety percent of new players with lot of efforts from our technical team. We have lost senior players due to age limit. Now we have lots of young players to take us to the 5th star.  It is good for the nation to see on the opening and as the last fixture for all to watch this Gauteng Giants game,” he adds.

“Over the years it shows that it doesn't matter how u start but how u finish. For us it doesn't matter if we lose or win our first game. We go try again.”

TUT Provisional Squad:

 Likho James, Matsobane Chipana, Luyanda Mandindi, Iviwe Sodidi, Moleleki Jacob Twala, Syabonga Vilakazi, Matome Sekgobela, Njabulo Mpisana, Bohlale Phatsisi, Onkgopotse Mohlamonyane, Thobani Ngwenya, Kearabilwe Mphahlele, Mahlatsi Baloyi, Thandolwethu Masondo, Appeal Mogakane, Menzukuthula Ntshangase, Ntshuxeko Mkhabela, Akani Rathokoa, Tshiamo Ranthoa, Dean Kruger, Khalefo Debeshe, Bandile Ndhlovu.

Fixtures: HERE

Tickets: HERE