WeeklySA_AdminWARPATH: Kruger United out to demolish out-of-sorts Tuks
By Masoja Cele
Newbies Kruger United will gauge their character when they face University of Pretoria in the Motsepe Foundation Championship on Sunday at Differ Maja Stadium (formerly KaNyamazane Stadium), Mbombela. Kick-off is at 15:30.
Kruger United gained promotion to the second tier by virtue of winning the 2023/24 Safa Mpumalanga stream. Subsequently, they went to national final and lost to eventual winners Highbury FC from Gqeberha.
Despite being the debutants in the Championship, the Bushbuckridge side have clocked impressive results. A week before the Fifa the Mpumalanga based team stood the ground and held season campaigners Black Leopards to a goalless draw, after previously hammered Leruma United 4-1. A very satisfactory results for any aspiring team. Currently, they are languishing 10th on the log standings from a possible 30 points from 10 fixtures.
Kruger United also known as ‘’The Village Boys’’ or ‘’The Looters’’ in football corridors have recently enlisted a number of former Premiership players, the likes of George ‘’Mido’’Maluleka from AmaZulu, Lehlohonolo Nonyane from Baroka FC, formerly Cape Town Spurs goalkeeper Zama Dlamini and Tshepo Mamabolo from University of Pretoria. The Village Boys are led by former Chippa United technical team member coach Abraham Mongoya.
The experience mentor served under Gavin Hunt and briefly worked under Rhulalani Mokoena. Though it’s still early to judge, but coach Mongoya has proved his worth in the championship with some positive results.
Contacted for comment this is what ‘’The Looters’’ coach Mongoya had to say ‘’Like any other team, we are an ambitious team who aspire to play football at the top league. Our vision is to be among the chasing pack and end the season on a high or as contenders for the play offs. I want to believe that the team that we assembled can compete against any opposition in our league’’ explained Mongoya.
Coming up against the University side will be definitely a tricky assignment for Kruger United. Tukkies are desperate for points to improve on their log position. In their last outing before the Fifa calendar, Tuks endured to a painful 1-1 draw against the tail ender’s Venda FC. They are just 2 points above the opposition.
They are sitting on 14 points from 10 rounds of fixtures. The Tshwane side are yet to find the form that propelled them to the national play-offs last campaign. AmaTuks have been challenging for Premiership elevation for the past three editions, but falter at the dead-end.
On the same breath, if the Hartfield based side harbour any hopes of clinching the 3 points at ‘’The Looters’’ then they will have to bring a rigorous performance as the Mpumalanga outfit are stubborn and unyielding at home. AmaTuks manager Tlisane Motaung will rely on the experience of the veteran attacking midfielder Samuel Julies.
The long serving Julies seems to be mellowing with time as he still produce his old magic that prompted Mamelodi Sundowns to capture his signature in his youthful days. Julies will be aided by other former Downs midfielder Promise Mkhuma and Kgomotso Mosadi. This match promises to be a humdinger as both teams are desperate for points.
