Tomorrow, when the Tuks players take to the field to play DUT in the Varsity Football Tournament, they should take the words “Don’t judge a book by its cover” to heart.
Considering the log standings, Tuks winning seems a mere formality. Tuks is, after all, second in the standings, having lost only once, while DUT is second last and has yet to win a game.
However, according to Tuks’s Ntokozo Madela, log standings can be misleading.
“It is definitely not going to be an easy game. We have played DUT twice, and we have lost on both occasions. Tomorrow, DUT has nothing to lose. So they will come hard at us. They are an excellent team defensively. But we are focused and ready to go to war.”
Madela has been playing for Tuks since 2022. A definite highlight was this season when he scored against Kovsies.
“As I was recovering from injury, it was my first goal of the season. Hopefully, the first of many. As a striker, the only thing you want to do is score goals and help the team. The worst that can happen to you as a striker is when you don’t get to score. That is when you start doubting your abilities.
“My best trait as a player is my ability to run in behind to pressure the teams. I pride myself also on being composed during a game. When you play for Tuks, you know there will be opportunities to score. As a striker, you must be ready for those chances.”
Not many might know that Mandela was an avid rugby player at George Campbell School of Technology in Durban. He played as a flyhalf or fullback of the first team. He even got to captain the team when in Grade 11.
“I decided to stick with football because I was always better at it than rugby. I am, however, an avid rugby supporter. I used to support the Sharks but have been a Blue Bulls fan since I came to Tuks.”
The kickoff for tomorrow’s game at Tuks is 18:30. If they win, they are guaranteed to play in the semifinals.
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