Imagine the pain that goes with losing two cup finals? Well, if you are a fan of UJ you know that feeling very well. UJ are emerging as the surprise package in this year’s competition and they are among the favourites to go all the way. The Soweto-based outfit lost two cup finals to Pretoria teams UP-Tuks in 2013 and TUT in 2016. The first final was a home final at their fortress, in the biggest township in South Africa. The other final their hearts were broken in Tshwane. I’m willing to put my head on the block and tip them as the eventual winners of the year’s competition.
There is just something different about this team this year. UJ are a united front. They have quick players and they have that right approach about themselves this season. They have Mokete Mogaila their leading marksman, who can do no wrong on the pitch. While other teams are battling injuries, UJ still have their squad intact and that is thanks to their fitness trainers. Their players are showing the hunger to succeed and they are also disciplined in their approach.
UJ are unbeaten in six matches and they keep on growing in confidence with each game they play. There is something that their coach Mandla Zwane is doing right. Zwane is a master tactician; he plans his things carefully and knows how to react to different situations.
The former Orlando Pirates star has transformed this UJ team and they don’t show any fear against the big boys. On the basis of their performance against UP-Tuks, the 1-1 draw at Soweto campus earlier in the season, and their impressive 1-0 win which ended TUT’s two-year unbeaten run in the mini league, UJ have every reason to believe that they will go all the way this year. They are simply tired of playing second fiddle to Tuks and TUT.
I for one believe that will soon change as they have the potential of finishing this season with a piece of silverware in their hands. UJ didn’t break like the other university, since they reported for camp in January. They trained together many months before the start of the sixth edition of this popular tournament.
Zwane and his players are tired of being bridesmaids they also want have a taste of what it’s like to be champions.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun Sports Writer
