After a world class start to a game and a converted penalty by Andile Batyi, the men from Alice saw themselves lead against UWC. The men from Alice could smell the win, but a last-minute corner kick by the University of Western Cape led to a last-minute goal, to equalise and share the spoils with the University of Fort hare.
“It was what we had wanted, it was how we had hope that things would playout,” said a rather sad head coach Charles Hanyani. “But I guess that gave us a slap in the face, to remind us that it is not over until the last whistle, and hence today we are speaking of a draw yet had a chance to beat the defending champions.”
The men from Alice have now earned their first points of the competition, but that will not be enough if they are still aspiring to make the semi-finals. The competition is still open only two teams at this point are starting to pull away (TUT and CUT), but the other two spots in the semi-final are still a wild card place, with only four points separating the bottom two and the third and fourth place teams, Tuks and UJ.
“We are deeply sorry to our fans, we had many chances to seal the deal against UWC, but we wasted our chances and we gave one chance to UWC and they took it,” said captain Siphamandla Zanekile.
“Our fans have been with us way before the TV arrived and we have to treat them properly and a way to do that is to win and that’s it, so the remaining three games will be make or break.”
The men from Alice will play host to the men from Gauteng, University of Witwatersrand. The games will be one of status for both teams, and could pave the way to at least a top five finish. Both teams are yet to find a win in this year’s competition and a lot is riding on this game.
University of Fort hare will host University of Witwatersrand in Alice, at Davidson Stadium, at 18:30. The team that faced University of the Western Cape is unchanged.
UFH starting XI to face UWC: Emmanuel Mashabela, Bathandwa Zondani, Masilive Nyosi, Siphamandla Zanekile, Sijongisonke Peter, Xolani Vuyani, Sindile Mlilo, Bongisa Bhomba, Andile Batyi, Siphelele Qumba, Olwethu Bless
Subs: Phakamani Mangona, Siphenkosi Ngxoko, Zwelethu Banga, Tomas Magagasa, Solomzi Nkumbesi, Banele Thompson, Siphamandla Dlela
By Kgoboko Kgoboko
