We caught up with UP-Tuks’ FNB man of the match Nii-Odartey Mills after his star performance in their 2-0 victory over Wits.

The USSA champions came into Varsity Football as one of the favourites to take the title, but suffered a major setback when they were humbled 4-1 at home to Tshwane rivals TUT in their opening match.

However, they regrouped well to produce a dominant performance against Wits, with Mills working his socks off alongsode his teammates to secure the result.

varsitysportssa.co.za: How do you feel after a 2-0 victory over Wits?

Mills: I think that going further into the other games we will be more encouraged, I think the camp will be more positive because after the defeat, there was a negative vibe going through the camp the first three days because we were not expecting to lose that game against TUT. At least from now on I think that we can build on that win.

varsitysportssa.co.za: In the first game there was a big lack of communication on the field, starting from the keeper and pushing right up to the strikers. Why was this lack of communication there?

Mills: Personally I think that just at the beginning most of us did not expect the crowd to be that loud, you know you always go into the game thinking you will be able to hear your team mates but you can’t hear each other so you literally have to start screaming to one another that was the first thing. Some of us were not used to playing on a big field like that because when we were all down in Cape Town for National Club Champs the fields were a lot smaller, so it was a lot easier for us to press, we could press for 90 minutes and as players that’s what we normally strive on. Having new players on the team they also unaware of how we press so we ended up leaving lots of spaces between our midfielders and our defenders and even at times between our midfielders and our strikers. I think what helped us is in the game against Wits we actually got that right, we found the balance.

varsitysportssa.co.za: How was the atmosphere even after a loss?

Mills: Awesome, I actually got a few reports from a few guy saying that they told lectures, “Ey its varsity football at 4:30 so they need to let us out at 4pm because we need to catch the bus”. So when they told me this I was surprised and asked them so you guys are actually still keen to watch, yeah we keen to watch even stating that the 9 weeks are too short, where we as players feel like it’s very long, due to the fact that they only get to catch four of our home games, but for us as players it’s a long tournament.

varsitysportssa.co.za: Tuks has been offered so many opportunities to finish, why have you guys been struggling to finish set pieces?

Mills: Personally I’m not too worried about our finishing because I know we have players that have the ability to finish in a game so its just about them getting their confidence, I think in the final they should just watch out for a 3-1 there.

varsitysportssa.co.za: You lost your first game 4-1 against your rivals TUT, how was it losing against them?

Mills: Well we can say its an uphill climb from here. So it was hard for us, it was hard for me but I always say it shows where our character is, because when you on top and you hit the bottom its all about character, can you get there? Are you really a champion? So for me I think its actually a good thing.

varsitysportssa.co.za: What was running through your minds when you stepped on the field to play against Wits?

Mills: Just winning, getting those three points so that when we get back Tuesday everyone will be chilled and they will be like,  ‘yes we can do this,’ and for me that’s all I wanted was for us to just get together as a team and build the team spirit.

varsitysportssa.co.za: Varsity has just started up again, how are you coping with attending classes and training and just being fresh and rested?

Mills: It’s a piece of cake. I have a quote for varsity Football that I go by every day and it’s an hour a day keeps failure away.

varsitysportssa.co.za: The stadium has been full for both of your games so far how has this made you feel on the field?

Mills: The crowd is flipping amazing, but one thing I did really realize, and for me going into the other games why I would actually cherish them more is because when you actually speak to some of them you actually realize that this is so important to them and now you just do not want to disappoint them at all.

varsitysportssa.co.za: How does it feel seeing yourself on television?

Mills: I think I looked very sluggish on the field, and now when someone tells me, “ay dude you were tired second half hey”, I’m like yoh yeah you can see, Yes I was tired bra, you at that point where you can actually point it out. It’s hectic.

varsitysportssa.co.za: Do you guys still think you can take this tournament?

Mills: Definitely no doubt in my mind.

varsitysportssa.co.za: How does it feel being awarded Player of the Match? And what are you planning on doing with the money that you received now that you have had more time to think about it?

Mills: I was not expecting it to be quite honest, I thought we just worked hard as a team and I would have to thank my coaches, my players, and the technical team for just being there and my family and friends and God most of all because I was not expecting it. In terms of what I am going to do with the money is to really use it for emergencies, when I really need the cash, then I am going to use it. And ya some emergencies have come up so ya… (Laughing).

By Gabriella Ferreira