There is a saying that the wolf climbing the hill is hungrier than the wolf on top of the hill. That seems to be the case in Varsity Football as the players are showing more hunger for the game each week.
The competition’s popularity continues to grow each week as the attendance at the stadium increases in numbers. Players are doing their all on the pitch in a bid to impress scouts and professional football teams.
Varsity competition is now giving the National First Division and the third-tier league a run for their money. This inaugural competition is properly marketed and it enjoys great attendances and television coverage every week. And the good thing is that players and coaches are taking this competition seriously.
The passion, tackling, dazzling skills and last minute goals, is keeping everyone on the edge of the seats. It’s the unpredictable nature of this competition which makes it even more exciting. NWU striker Thabo Mnyamane, has been the toast of the competition with his goal scoring prowess.
Hard tackler, Niven Kop of NMMU, reminds fans of former Orlando Pirates defender Gavin ‘stability unit’ Lane with his defensive performances. TUT midfielder Busakwe Sonwabiso is also a marvel to watch. These are some of the players that have stood head and shoulders above their peers, but the list is endless there is abundance of talent in this competition.
The players are exposed on TV and that alone gives them the edge to impress the PSL coaches. Top coaches have come out to embrace the Varsity tournament. AmaTuks head coach Steve Barker says this tournament is a big hit and he gave it a thumbs up. Barker is smiling from ear to ear whenever he talks about this excellent football initiative. He praised everything there is about the level of football played in this competition. Barker’s second in command Sly Mosala, who started out as a varsity football coach also expressed his excitement about the turn of events.
Mosala was promoted into the senior team’s technical team as a result of his good work at varsity football level. He is AmaTuks assistant coach and barely misses varsity football matches on Mondays.
Renowned development coach Kwanele Kopo, who was promoted to SuperSport United technical team, is also a big fan. The Matsatsantsa a Pitori’s new assistant coach attended the TUT versus NMMU match to scout for talent. Kopo himself admitted that the quality of football dished out was of a high standard. He added that with discipline, more hunger and a little bit of hard work the players can go places.
National under-23 coach Ephraim ‘Shakes’ Mashaba is also eyeing the players at this tournament for a possible inclusion to his preliminary squad for the Olympic Games qualifiers from next year. The madala is on a rebuilding mission and he has not ruled anyone out of his squad. If the players continue to dish out quality football, who knows where they will end up.
Even national coach Gordon Igesund is a happy man as he has long been calling for such tournaments to be put in place. It doesn’t just end with the coaches showing their unwavering support for the event it also extends to club administrators.
Top administrators such as Orlando Pirates CEO Floyd Mbele and Platinum Stars team manager Senzo Mazingiza have also endorsed the concept.
But all people who have publicly supported this concept are crying foul with the age group playing at this tournament, with which I fully agree with them. Barker for one would like to see under-23 players playing at this tournament.
And I agree with the former Wits midfielder as he is spot on. I have always been against the idea of playing post-graduates in this exciting competition. Players such as AmaTuks goalkeeper Tristyn Coetsee (26), shouldn’t be playing for goodness sake. Coetsee is part of a PSL team in AmaTuks and he should make way for much younger and unknown goalkeeper to make a name for himself. Desmond Khuzwayo is also another veteran, who played for AmaTuks in 2006. These are some of the things which the modest Barker would love to see changed in 2014.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer
