Despite being one of the smallest players in the Varsity Football Tournament, University of Pretoria (Tuks) player Dylan Murchie has been making headlines.
The 20-year-old first-year sports science student scored his first Varsity goal against the University of the Western Cape (UWC) last week.
Tlisane Motaung (UP-Tuks head coach) describes Murchie as a natural finisher.
“He has got pace, he has got strength, and he has an aerial presence,” said Motaung.
“To top it all, he is a good goal-poacher. It is guaranteed that if you create enough chances, he will find the back of the net. It is in his genes.”
In the Castle League Murchie scored 15 goals.
“Usually after being about 20 minutes on the field I start to get a feel for the game knowing when to be where,” said Murchie who is 1.65 metres tall and weighs 65kg.
“Most teams want big strong strikers that can hold the ball for them. That I can do, but I am also able to cause fouls at the edge of the ‘box’ because of my size. When the bigger defenders try and take advantage because of my small stature I am able to turn the tables on them. I am the kind of striker who will always try and make the most of every scoring opportunity that comes my way.
“Scoring my first Varsity goal against UWC was special. At first, I could not believe that I had scored. I thought I might have been offside as everything felt too easy. However, the moment I realised it was a goal I was happy and emotional at the same time.”
Tuks play Tshwane University of Technology on Thursday in a home semifinal of the Varsity Football Tournament.
– African News Agency (ANA), Editing by Michael Sherman
