TUT and Tuks Set Up All-Tshwane Final
The 2026 Varsity Football title will stay in Tshwane after TUT and UP-Tuks booked their places in the final with hard-fought semi-final victories.
TUT edged Wits 1-0 at Wits Stadium, while UP-Tuks produced a late winner to beat UJ 1-0 in Soweto, setting up an all-Tshwane showdown for the championship.
TUT hold off Wits
TUT secured their place in the final thanks to Kereabilwe Mphahlele’s 19th-minute strike.
The Red Army created the opening through a neat combination involving Likho James, with Mphahlele finishing to give TUT the lead.
Wits improved after the break and pushed for an equaliser, but TUT’s defence remained disciplined.
The hosts’ task became even harder when Keabetswe Segaetsho was sent off in the 70th minute after receiving a second yellow card.
Wits continued to search for a way back, but TUT held firm to reach the final.
Player of the Match: Akani Rathokoa (TUT)
Masenamela sends Tuks through
The second semi-final was heading towards extra time before Kholofelo Masenamela produced the decisive moment in the 86th minute.
UP-Tuks had controlled much of the early play, but UJ’s defence stood firm as the hosts gradually grew into the contest.
With time running out, Tuks introduced fresh legs and the move paid off. Masenamela found space inside the box and calmly finished to put the visitors ahead.
UJ threw everything forward in search of an equaliser during stoppage time, but UP-Tuks survived the late pressure to secure a dramatic victory.
Player of the Match: Jason Cox (UP-Tuks)
Tshwane showdown awaits
The results mean TUT and UP-Tuks will now face each other in the 2026 Varsity Football final, with both sides just one victory away from lifting the title.
For UJ, their impressive campaign ends at the semi-final stage, while Wits’ hopes of reaching the final were ended by a disciplined TUT performance.
One final. Two Tshwane rivals. One Varsity Football crown.
