The NMMU Madibaz are determined to turn their fortunes around when they travel to Bloemfontein to face fourth-placed Kovsies at Shimla Park.
The Madibaz are still hurting form their 2-1 defeat to UWC and will be more determined to pick up their first away win of this year’s tournament.
The PE students have leaked late goals in each of their four matches thus far but coach Greame Harrison said they have been working hard to fix those frailties.
“We’ve been a bit disappointing defensively but those areas have been identified and we have worked hard improving it,” he said.
Kovsies will be full of confidence heading into the match after grinding out a 2-2 draw against UJ. The Bloem students will be without head coach Godfrey Tenoff who is currently in Brazil.
The team will be in the care of assistant coach Tebogo Matsamai who has chosen to keep the faith with the same squad who played against UJ.
“I will be making a mistake if I change it (the squad) as they played exceptionally well against UJ,” Matsamai said.
Matsamai went on to say that the absence of Tenoff will have no effect on the players’ performance and that he can all but guarantee maximum points for the hosts.
A win for the home side could see them moving into third place if other results go their way, it could also mean the Bloem students will have one foot in the semi-finals.
Victory for the visitors will go a long way to keep their hopes alive of sneaking into the semi-finals.
UFS-Kovsies Squad: 1 Serasengoe Moodie, 4 Marathodi Phillies, 13 Tsoeu Mphezulu, 19 Jarred Meyer, 15 Themba Zimo, 23 Mongezi Mologovane, 10 Simon Modupi, 11 Lehlohonolo Mokoena, 6 Manxubandile Bantshi, 14 Glen Rikhotso, 9 Jay Jay Groenewald, 7 Walter Phori, 24 Dylan O’Brien, 3 Unathi Mabandla, 2 Khauhelo Kholotsa, 12 Kakudi Moreleba, 25 Mokotjo Tebello.
NMMU-Madibaz Squad: 24 Lyndsay Jennings (gk), 2 Onela Beqezi, 5 Athini Bisha, 16 Lundi Balfour, 13 Vuyolwethu Marele, 19 Karabo Motlhabi, 6 Kurt Duff (c), 17 Sachin Jackson, 18 Olwethu Ngako, 14 Simamkele Thobi, 8 Lukhanyo Rasmeni, 1 Matthew Booysen, 21 Kevin Kevido, 2 Lukhanyo Stemele, 4 Zukisani Mtendeni, 20 Litha Fingo, 11 Kieran Koert, 9 Lukhanyo Ndabeta.
Date: Monday, August 18
Venue: Shimla Park, Bloemfontein
Kick-off: 16:30 (Televised live on Supersport 204 and 210)
