How Tuks won the Diski Challenge

University of Pretoria made history when they were crowned the first ever MultiChoice Diski Challenge champions.

They defeated giants Kaizer Chiefs, Orlando Pirates, SuperSport United and Mamelodi Sundowns on their way to lifting the crown.

Tuks edged Sundowns 2-1 on penalties in the 2015 final that was played at the Nike Football Training Centre in Pimville, Soweto on February 28.

Supersport.com looks at the Pretoria side's journey to the milestone.

FINAL

University of Pretoria became the first team to lift the Diksi Challenge trophy following their win on penalties against Sundowns, the match had finished 2-2 after extra time. Botshelo Mfulwane opened the scoring in the 12th minute but Sundowns got the equaliser seven minutes later through defender Rheece Evans.

The next goal arrived nine minutes into extra time when veteran striker Rodney Ramagalela gave Sundowns the lead. Dikgang Ngcobo converted a penalty with eight minutes remaining to send the match into penalties. Mfulwane and Renald Ketjijere scored their spot-kicks to give Tuks the win after their opponents only had a single successful penalty.

SEMIFINAL

Tuks edged SuperSport United 3-2 on penalties in the first semifinal of the MultiChoice Diski Challenge at the Isaac Wilfson Stadium in Port Elizabeth on February 15, after the match finished 1-1 after 120 minutes. SuperSport's Kwanele Zulu opened the scoring in the 23rd minute before Ngcobo equalised for Tuks in the 35th minute. During the penalty shootouts, Mfulwane, Ngcobo and Siphelele Luthuli converted their kicks to send Tuks into the final.

QUARTERFINAL

Tuks fought back after trailing from a first-minute Letsie Koapeng goal to win their match against Orlando Pirates 5-2. Khethukuthula Zwane equalised with an emphatic finish after 25 minutes as the teams went to halftime tied 1-1.

Mfulwane tapped in Denver Mukamba's cross seven minutes after the break to give Tuks the lead. Minutes later Mpho Maruping headed in the third and Mukamba added the fourth with a well-taken strike from outside the box.

Thabo Rakhale reduced the deficit to 4-2, six minutes from time. Tuks were then awarded a penalty in added time, which was converted by Mukamba to complete his brace.

GROUP STAGE

Match day 1: Bloemfontein Celtic 0-0 Tuks

Tuks played their first match of the competition against Bloemfontein Celtic at the King Zwelithini Stadium in Umlazi, Durbah on 13 September 2014. It was a low scoring day as the first two matches ended with Orlando Pirates and Kaizer Chiefs winning by a solitary goal against AmaZulu and Maritzburg United respectively.

Mpho Maruping and Junior Sibande, who were with the first team, guided the youngsters against their opponents. Celtic also boasted experienced duo Lyle Lakay and Jacky Motshegwa as the match ended goalless.

Match day 2: Tuks 2-1 Maritzburg United

They faced Maritzburg United in their next match at the Nike Centre in Soweto on September 24, where they had to wait until the second half to find the back of the net. Maritzburg scored first through Bandile Shandu in the 59th minute, but Botshelo Mfulwane got the equaliser for Tuks ten minutes later. The experience of Mpho Maruping paid off as he netted the winner in the 74th minute.

Match day 3: Moroka Swallows 0-2 Tuks

Tuks visited Swallows, who had lost 8-0 to Bloemfontein Celtic, in the third round at the Dobsonville Stadium on October 5. Lucky Mathosi put them ahead in the 25th minute and they kept the lead until halftime. Their second goal came late into the match when Siphelele Luthuli netted in the 90th minute. The win helped Tuks join Celtic and Chiefs at the top on seven points.

Match day 4: Tuks 0-1 SuperSport United

In the fourth round, Tuks faced SuperSport United in the Tshwane derby at the Tuks Stadium on October 11. They had collected seven points in three matches while their rivals had amassed only four. United drew first blood as Thabani Mthembu scored from the penalty spot in the 22nd minute. That proved to be the winner as the visitors held on to the lead and joined Tuks on seven points.

Match day 5: Tuks 2-3 Polokwane City

Tuks then took on Polokwane City the following day looking to bounce. They fell behind as Mothusi Gopane gave the visitors the lead after twenty minutes. Their equaliser came in the 70th minute through Dever Mukamba and Dikgang Ngcobo put them ahead in the 85th minute. Polokwane then scored two quick goals courtesy of substitute Bongani Nxumalo and sealed the win.

Match day 6: Ajax Cape Town 0-0 Tuks

They travelled to Cape Town to face Ajax in the sixth round on October 18, in a match that was a curtain raiser to a Premier Soccer League (PSL) encounter at the Cape Town Stadium. Goalkeepers Brandon Petersen and Thakasani Mbanjwa were in an uncompromising mood as they stood firm in goals, frustrating the likes of Lucky Mathosi and Noah Sadaoui. The match ended goalless, which meant both teams had to win their final clashes and also relied on the other results.

Match day 7: Tuks 3-1 Kaizer Chiefs

The final group encounter at the Galeshewe Stadium in Kimberly on October 25 was a must-win for both teams as the Group A quarterfinals spots were still available. Chiefs looked to be cruising when midfielder Phakamani Mngadi opened the scoring after 30 minutes.

Tuks drew level six minutes later courtesy of Botshelo Mfulwane’s strike and the teams went to the break tied. The Pretoria side upped their performance in the second half, scoring twice through Grant Kekana (67th minute) and Lucky Mathosi (69th minute) to seal the three points and their berth in the knockout round.

Group stage record: P7 W3 D2 L2 GF9 GA6 GD3 Pts11
Position: 4 (Group A)

Tuks were the joint top scorers with Mpumalanga Black Aces after finding the back of the net 17 times.

Here’s the list of the players who netted those goals:

Botshelo Mfulwane (4), Dikgang Ngcobo (3), Denver Mukamba (3), Mpho Maruping (2), Lucky Mathosi (2), Grant Kekana (1), Siphelele Luthuli (1), Khethukuthula Zwane (1).

The full winning squad:

All the 30 players who appeared on the team sheets from the first match:

Lebogang Ngubeni, Thakasani Mbanjwa, Michael Faseen, Chris Msiza, Hasintiana Andriamialy, Itumeleng Nkwana, Grant Kekana, Alan Robertson, Junior Sibande, Sifiso Nzimande, Tiago da Serra, Botshelo Mfulwane, Thabo Mnyamane, Mpho Maruping, Siphelele Luthuli, Katlego Motlhatsang, Ronald Ketjijere, Denver Mukamba, Khethukuthula Zwane, Simbongile Njokwe, Thulile Mabena, Thandokuhle Mabuza, Tojotiana Andriamialy, Jerome Bitumba, Leonel De Menonca, Simphiwe Sihlangu, Nicolas Niehaus, Ofense Kwenaite, Lucky Mathosi, Dikgang Ngcobo.