Wits University will want to see the back of the 2022 Varsity Football season after having struggled to register a single victory as the last group stage game looms. Wits currently sit at the bottom of the table ahead of Jukskei Derby against UP-Tuks on Thursday evening at the Wits Football Stadium.
Varsity Football got the chance to catch up with a seasoned Varsity Football campaigner for the Educated Footballers, Bradley Mongwe, to discuss the Witsies’ tough run in this year’s competition. The 25-year-old centre-back has played for Wits in 2017, 2018, 2021, and 2022 in the Varsity Football competition, which included a final in 2018.
Mongwe has also done exceptionally well in his academics, already having graduated with a BSc in Construction Studies, BSc with Honours in Quantity Surveying, and a PgDip in Property Development and Management at Wits University
Varsity Football: What are you currently up to in football? And what are the football moments that still make you proud
Mongwe: I am currently with the Wits side playing in the ABC Motsepe league. Scoring the winning penalty in the 2018 Varsity Football semis against UJ was a big thing for me. Playing the final at home was also a great achievement in 2018. In 2019 we also played a final in a tournament called WEUFT in China, which was also quite a proud moment for me
Varsity Football: What are your thoughts on Varsity Football as a former player in the competition?
Mongwe: It’s a great platform to expose yourself to professional teams and scouts. We have had quite a few players make the step into professional football from it. It also encourages young footballers to go to varsity and not only just chase the football dream but do both. You also get to be on tv for your family to watch you so it’s a great competition.
Varsity Football: What do you feel has gone wrong with Wits this season in the competition
Mongwe: Getting the right blend of players. The squad is heavily dominated by naturally defensive players. This has starved the team of some creativity and ability to play the football Wits is known for. The team also hasn’t played to their strengths at times, which is being defensively strong and then seeing if they can get something in a set-piece or counter.
Varsity Football: What do you feel Wits could’ve done better to get the results
Mongwe: As mentioned previously, being able to play to the strengths of the squad. The squad is defensively-minded and so that should have been the foundation. Try to keep clean sheets first and then go from there. Too many soft goals were allowed, and teams outworked the team in most games. There was a lack of drive and determination throughout the tournament.
Varsity Football: Going into next season, do you feel Wits should stick it out with this current crop of players or bring in some more experienced recruits?
Mongwe: I feel it’s very important that Wits look to bring in reinforcements. The squad requires an overhaul, with players that can put the team on the front foot again and add a bit of steel and passion to the overall play. This year there has been a shortage of desire and fighting spirit from the team and maybe a change in faces will do the trick.
Varsity Football: If you were a coach, what would’ve been your approach to games in this situation?
Mongwe: It’s very easy to always look at tactics and coaches in matches but this year has been more about how we as players have not fought for each other and the badge. We played a system that most players have never really played but to say a change in the system would have worked is also an easy excuse. The coaches approached the game as best as possible with what they had to work with in terms of players and we just did not want it enough in key moments of games. A formation change could have worked but a system is only as good as the players want it to be.
Varsity Football: Thanks for your honest assessment Mongwe.
Wits, who have only collected two points so far, face fifth-placed Tuks, who need a win to secure a spot in this year’s semi-finals. The match at Wits Stadium kicks off at 18:30.
You can get information on how to get tickets here.
By S’fiso Nyawo
