Following a stalemate against NWU Mafikeng, UFS will be eyeing a second victory of the 2019 Varsity Football season when they host winless UKZN in Bloemfontein.
Although UKZN are yet to pick up any points after two opening losses, UFS captain Gauta Mokati was adamant that his side needed to respect their opponents.
“Playing against a wounded team is never easy. They are the only ones who beat us against the run of play at USSA [University Sports South Africa],” Mokati tells varsitysportsa.com.
“We are not going to undermine them because, in football, you are only as good as your last game,” Mokati emphasised.
For his part, UKZN skipper Lungani Nhlengethwa showed signs of optimism ahead of the clash despite their second heart-breaking loss, against CUT, last week.
WATCH: How UKZN hearts were broken by UFS’s neighbours in Round 2
“We are motivated to do better and convert our opportunities,” Nhlengethwa said, noting the importance of changing their approach in order to “overcome the opponent.”
“We should defend as a unit and not allow the opponent enough space to play,” Nhlengethwa elaborated.
Mokati called out the home supporters to fully back the team on Thursday at Shimla Park.
“It is crucial for our supporters to come out in numbers and rally behind the team. They are like our 12th man and, without them, the team is incomplete,” Mokati concluded.
The all crucial encounter will kick off at the Shimla Park Stadium at 18:30 as UKZN look to claw their way from the foot of the table.
Tickets for the game, which kicks off at 18:30, are available for just R10 if you use the Varsity Sports App, downloadable from the Apple App Store on iOS devices or from the Google Play store for Android users.
By Sam Styrax
