A mid-week win against Tshwane University of Technology has lifted UP-Tuks’ spirits after their humiliating 4-0 defeat to UJ on Monday night.

 

On Tuesday night, the reigning champions convincingly overcame TUT 2-0 in the University Sports South Africa (USSA) qualifying tournament which runs concurrently to the Varsity Football league.

 

Tukkies coach, Evangelos Vellios, says the victory has boosted his players’ confidence and the mood in the camp is definitely better after they dropped points in a disappointing defeat to UJ earlier this week.

 

“We’ve been doing lots of work behind the scenes and it’s paid off with a win that has lifted our spirits. We just want to put Monday’s misery behind us now and move on to get back to winning ways,” he said.

 

Vellios sent a different team out to play against TUT and revealed he could make changes to his starting line-up for their Varsity Football clash against UL next week.

 

“Some of the guys put their hands up for selection after good performances on Tuesday, so I might make some changes to reward those players.

 

I’m happy that Dean Wilkinson is also back in training and he is a key player for us, so I will find a way to use him against UL,” he said.

 

The UP-Tuks coach says he has no doubt his team will lift their game and progress in the competition.

 

“We have to win that game to move up the standings. The aim is to get enough points to get a home semi-final and then obviously after that it’s two matches to win and we defend our title,” he said.

 

Vellios says UP-Tuks are determined to impress their home fans on Monday night and hopes they come out in numbers to support the players.