Tuks aim for top eight
UNIVERSITY of Pretoria’s veteran players have attributed their impressive turnaround to change in personnel and playing style.
For the better part of this season, AmaTuks battled in the bottom half of the Absa Premiership table but there’s been a huge improvement on the side since the appointment of Sammy Troughton and Sly Mosala after the departure coach Steve Barker. Tuks’ experienced campaigners Tebogo Monyai and Mpho Matsi say the change in play brought by the new men in charge has had them produce desirable results in recent matches.
“Whenever there’s a new coach at the club, there’s always positive change. Players want to do their best to impress and be part of the team. Now players feel free and they have more belief in themselves. We play more as a team. That’s why there’s been great improvement,” said Monyai, who has over a decade at Tuks.
His remarks were echoed by midfielder Matsi, who says the confidence of players has soared following the new approach to the game. “Not much has changed except for the style of play. When we defend, we do so as a team and we also attack as a team,” said Matsi, who has been with Tuks since 2008.
Under Troughton and Mosala, Tuks have lost once, drew five and won four including in the Nedbank Cup. They managed to score 14 goals in the process. They are currently ninth on the log with 26 points. Matsi says competition for places in the team is part of the factors behind their form.
Tuks strikers Geofrey Massa, Thabo Mnyamane and Atusaye Nyondo have been central to the team’s success. They account for 19 of the 23 goals that Tuks have scored in the league this season. Centreback Monyai says the trio’s hunger is vital for them.
For Tuks to finish in the top eight, they will need to toil as there are a number of teams that are also their sights on qualification for the MTN8. “Competition is tough. Polokwane City, Bloemfontein Celtic and SuperSport United are all in it. Everybody at Tuks has belief that we can get a top eight finish,” said the 34-year-old.
On Sunday Tuks will host Maritzburg United in a league encounter at the Tuks Stadium. Monyai says he and his team will give their best to ensure that they register their first win over Maritzburg.