UP-Tuks sat with a dilemma after last year’s Varsity Football competition as the former two-time champions not only failed to qualify for the semi-finals for the first time since the competition’s inception, but their inexperienced squad were dealt a much harder blow – their confidence to perform on the football pitch took a knock.
Simbongile Njokwe, UP-Tuks vice-captain for 2017, told varsitysportssa.com that overcoming their mental block was extremely challenging but it was made easier by the coaching management.
“As students our studies come first and management understands this and they support this. They know that we are not professional players yet and thus have other commitments outside of football. In fact, the coaches are very supportive in every aspect of our lives. This is critical as we see these people as parent figures and look to them for guidance,” said 23-year-old Njokwe.
“As a team we knew that we had let our supporters and university down with our performances in 2016 and many of us had to deal with the disappointment in our own way. Not only did we train much harder during the off season but we grew closer as a team, helping each other to build an environment that is conducive to confidence building.
“We know that we are not going to win every match but our experience gained from last year will help us to not take a mental hit,” the final year BA Sports Science student added.
UP-Tuks may have drawn with Tshwane neighbours TUT in their opening match of this season, but the team took to the field with a different mindset and this showed in their playing ability. In fact, it was only a well taken free kick by TUT in the dying minutes of the match that denied the University of Pretoria victory. Njokwe believes that this performance was the turning point for the players.
“I could see how much the boys were enjoying being back on the pitch and that made me realise just how far we have come as a team,” he admitted with a chuckle.
Here’s how TUT drew level in the dying minutes:
UP-Tuks Football return home in the second round of Varsity Football 2017 when they host UJ Football at the Tuks Stadium on Tuesday, 3 August. Kick-off is scheduled for 18:30.
By Dan Lombard
