It’s Round Six this week as the Red Machine of Tshwane University of Technology travel to KZN to face UKZN. Here’s a look at what will be needed if UKZN are to topple TUT.
TUT’s Loss to UJ
TUT come into this encounter following a 1-0 away defeat to this season’s high flyers and current top-of-the-table UJ. The defeat came as a result of a crucial goal from the season’s top marksmen thus far, Mokete Mogaile after the attacker caught the defence of TUT in sixes and sevens and whipped in a killer goal that soon decided the match’s result. This result became TUT’s first defeat this season and consequently moved last year’s finalists to third position on the log after the fifth round of the season. Coming into this match TUT will be looking to bounce back from the defeat and get back to winning ways which they are highly capable of doing. But they are vulnerable and UKZN need to exploit this.
UKZN’s 12th man
The Impi home fans have indeed proved to be a loyal “12th man in KZN” and for this have been rated as tournaments best fans of the season. Loss after loss, they have always come out in their numbers and enjoyed themselves in their first experience of Varsity Football. In the USSA champions’ last encounter against UWC, the Impi fans packed the stadium yet again as they danced through the rain in song the entire match. This could be crucial in the upcoming match as loyal supporters have the potential to be the 12th man on the pitch.
UKZN’s Courageous Comeback Against UWC
In their latest result, the men from KZN showed courageous character in arguably the most entertaining match of the season thus far, which ended in a six-goal thriller, three apiece, against the Bellville side. UKZN engineered an entertaining comeback after being two nil down after 30 minutes of play in the match. UWC again tried to finish the home side off as they went back up in the 76th minute with Xolisa Makubalo of UWC finishing off his brace, silencing the home fans, only but for a moment.
Check out what happened
UKZN then displayed glimpses of the potential they possess with a late equaliser three minutes later. A brace from the home team courtesy of in-form 22-year-old Tholinhlanhla Zondi which rounded off the sixth goal of the match. This result could undoubtedly be UKZN’s change of luck which hasn’t been on their side since the tournament’s inception and could be another factor that UKZN could take with them to the field this week.
On paper, this match is a given result for last year’s finalists, however, UKZN have got nothing to lose going into this clash and in fact go in for the first time, off the foot of the table.
By Mpendulo Lesoalo
