Despite upsetting defending champions TUT, UFS are not counting their chicks before they hatch as Round 6 approaches.
Many may have expected the table-toppers to walk all over the UFS and TUT’s initial dominance could have served to support those predictions. However, UFS took their chances and ran out 2-0 victors.
UFS captain Gauta Mokati sees an opportunity to kick on from that successful encounter: “It [the win over TUT] boosted the confidence of the team, as we are more unified than ever.”
Despite the headline-making victory, UFS still consider themselves as underdogs for the tournament, not least because it’s their first time back since 2014.
“The fact that we are underdogs in the tournament motivates us. This is an opportunity to showcase our talent and show everyone we are capable of doing well in this tournament,” Mokati tells varsitysportssa.com.
WATCH: How UFS inflicted TUT’s first defeat of 2019…
With five rounds of Varsity Football played, teams can be expected to face some level of mental and physical fatigue, but that is not the case for Kovsies, according to Mokati.
“We are instead growing from strength to strength as the tournament progresses. Credit must go to our technical team for ensuring that we are always mentally and physically prepared.”
Their opponents for Thursday, UJ, are only a point adrift of their hosts in what is a tense battle for the semi-final spots which sees positions 2 to 7 separated by two points http://www.old.varsitysportssa.com/football-fixtures-results/. UJ, who have scored five goals on the road, may pose a stern threat for the Bloemfontein side’s defence at Shimla Park, but UFS are focused on netting goals of their own.
“If we take our chances, we will go on to win the upcoming game,” Mokati says confidently. “We believe we have a team that’s capable of winning the tournament but our main focus is to win the next game.”
UFS (vs UJ): 27. Nelson Chauke (GK), 23. Makhaola Mohale, 24. Obakeng Seekoei, 15. Gauta Mokati (capt), 3. Thapelo Madrati, 7. Lebogang Ngamlani, 6. Angelo Arendse, 8. Obarate Saila, 25. Bradwell Gouws, 4. Siphelele Ngwenya, 9. Dylan O’Brien.
Replacements: 28. Mafase Malomane (GK), 12. Themba Msimanga, 13. Nnyane Nkomo, 14. Ashley Shingange, 18. Katleho Phutheo, 21. Duncan Mohale, 22. Katleho Lephaka.
Shimla Park will provide the platform as UFS look to move closer to securing a spot in the semi-finals. Kick-off is at 18:30 and tickets are available on the Varsity Sports App (available for iOS and Android users) and here: https://varsitysportsa.plankton.mobi/
By Sam Styrax
