TUT crowned 2026 Varsity Football champions for a record fifth time

The TUT Red Army come back from 1-0 down to clinch their fifth and record Varsity Football title with a 3-2 victory over archrivals UP-Tuks in a fierce Tshwane derby.

The Red Army were the first to pose a threat with Akani Rathokoa and Lucky Raphala combining well, however Rathokoa could not capitalize. Tuks responded immediately with Risen Albert coming close to taking the lead. The home side then grabbed the lead in the 17th minute.

Albert delivered a perfect cross, connecting flawlessly with Ntokozo Madela, as he headed it in the bottom corner to hand Stripe Generation a much-needed lead, with the leading Varsity Football goal scorer taking his tally to six goals. Nicholas Stothard’s troops however became complacent after going ahead, inviting pressure from TUT.

The Red Army sent threats seeking instant response but their threats yielded with no success as Tuks held firm to take a narrow 1-0 lead into the interval.

The Red Army returned from the tunnel rejuvenated and this quickly led to their equalizer and subsequent lead courtesy Iviwe Sodidi and Rearabilwe Mphahlele. Bushy Moloi’s troops made a statement with Mphahlele at the heart of things, first an assist and then a goal as Mphahlele found Sodidi in the box who tapped it in to level matters.

The bold wing back then capitalised on some sloppy Tuks defence as Matome Rangata failed to control and clear his lines and the ball fell to Mphahlele’s lethal boot who fired home a cracker.

Desperate for an equalizer the Stripe Generation sent numbers upfront forcing crucial safes from Luyanda Mandindi as Samukelo Ngodela and Kholofelo Masenamela saw their efforts blocked handled by the TUT keeper.

High flying winger Rathokoa put the icing on the cake, sealing a fifth star for the Red Army with a moment of individual brilliance as he pierced through the Tuks defence and made it 3-1 in favour of the Red Army. Jason Cox made it a tight finish by scoring a consolation goal however it was not enough to change the outcome as TUT sealed their fifth Varsity Football title.