Outgoing UKZN coach Thabo Dladla says they are determined to avoid the wooden spoon at this year’s Varsity Football tournament.
The 64-year-old is warming the hot seat for former Maritzburg United assistant coach and Bafana Bafana legend Delron Buckley, who will take over at the end of the tournament.
The former Borussia Dortmund star will watch his new troops from the stands at the University of Pretoria while Dladla sits on the bench.
UKZN have made two previous Varsity Football appearances. In their debut season in 2018, they came seventh after two wins, four losses and two draws, before finishing bottom of the pile in 2019 with one win, two draws and four losses.
Dladla would be happy if they finished higher than seventh in 2021.
‘We want to avoid the wooden spoon,’ he tells VarsitySportsSA.com. ‘But we remain optimistic about our chances and making the semis would be a bonus.’
Dladla has several coaching qualifications, including Uefa A and Safa Level 2. He has coached in the PSL, GladAfrica Championship and in amateur football for over two decades. However, he admits that does not guarantee success on the field.
‘Unfortunately, it does not work like that in football. I do not want to put too much pressure on the boys,’ he adds.
UKZN will begin their 2021 campaign against Kovsies at Tuks Stadium on Wednesday (15:00). Dladla is set to reunite with Kovsies coach Tebogo Motsamai, who he coached at an amateur level many years ago.
‘I taught him coaching, so it will be a battle between master and student,’ says Dladla with a laugh. ‘I am looking forward to the first match. If we win it, we can kick on from there, and anything will be possible.’
PLAYER TO WATCH
Mfundi Ngema, who wears jersey No 21, is a sharpshooter and a dangerous winger. The quick and slippery Ngema recently signed for Ethekwini Coastal FC, who play in the ABC Motsepe Regional League in KwaZulu-Natal.
DID YOU KNOW?
- UKZN will make their third successive Varsity Football appearance.
- UKZN’s nickname is ‘Impi’, which means a body of Zulu warriors.
TEAM FACT FILE
Nickname: Impi
Province: KwaZulu-Natal
Appearances: Two (2018, 2019)
Titles: 0
Biggest win: 3-0 against UL (2018)
Biggest loss: 1-3 against CUT (2019)
Most goals scored: 10 (2018)
Most goals conceded: 13 (2018, 2019)
2021 SQUAD
Goalkeepers: Thando Radebe, Khaya Luhlongwane, Kwanele Qwabe
Defenders: Felix Tom, Sifundo Nkosi (captain), Manqoba Mkhonza, Percy Shongwe, Sabelo Madondo, Bongani Ndlela, Unathi Mthembu, Nkosi Sibiya
Midfielders: Busiswa Sibiya, Sphelele Mbewana, Sbonga Mthembu, Phumlani Mkhize, Anele Nxumalo, Sandile Ndlozi, Mongezi Ngcwangu, Nkululeko Dlamini
Strikers: Mxolisi Mthiya, Mfundi Ngema, Njabulo Mkhize, Monwabisi Magubane, Malusi Mavundla, Sabelo Nyameka, Olwethu Myeza
TECHNICAL TEAM
Head coach: Thabo Dladla
Assistant coach: Sthembiso Mkhize
Assistant coach: Siphamandla Nyawose
Physiotherapist: Anele Ngubane
Compliance officer: Zweli Sapula
Team manager: Thabo Mabuya
2021 Varsity Football fixtures
By Charles Baloyi
