NMMU Madibaz will be hoping to be crowned the undisputed ‘kings of the coast’ when they host UWC at the Madibaz Stadium in the fourth round of the Varsity Football tournament.
The PE side have already claimed the bragging rights against the other Cape side in the tournament, UCT, with a comfortable 2-1 victory and will be hoping to add UWC to that list.
The Madibaz are in high spirits following that victory which lifted them to fifth on the log but coach Graeme Harrison is weary that UWC will be looking to take maximum points with them back to the Cape.
“They will be desperate for points, which is why we are ready for anything that they will throw at us. We respect them but we will be going all out and fight hard to take the three points on offer,” he said.
NMMU will be the more confident of the sides heading into the match but UWC can take solice in the fact that the PE students have conceded late goals in each of their three matches.
UWC coach Aboobaker Williams has refused to throw in the towel after their lackluster start to the campaign and still believes they can turn their fortunes around and sneak into the top four.
“There are four games remaining, which means there are 12 points up for grabs. We need to get at least nine of the 12 points if we want to make it to the next phase,” he said.
The Cape side have managed to gain one point from their opening three matches and will be hoping to stem the tide of a Madibaz side who are riding a wave of confidence as they attempt to get themselves into contention for a semi-final berth.
NMMU, on the other hand, will be hoping to pick up where they left off against UCT and claim their second victory of the campaign. A victory could see them break into the top four as they know UFS-Kovsies will be hosting UJ in the same round of fixtures.
NMMU Madibaz Squad: 24 Lyndsay Jennings, 2 Lukanyo Stemele, 5 Athini Bisha, 16 Lundi Balfour, 13 Vuyolwethu Marele, 11 Kieran Koert, 6 Kurt Duff, 9 Lukhanyo Ndabeta, 10 Cloudius Sagandira, 17 Sachin Jackson, 22 Reginald Mabokane, 1 Matthew Booysen, 21 Kevin Kevido, 12 Onela Beqezi, 4 Zukisani Mtendeni, 20 Litha Fingo, 15 Alexander Owusu, 8 Lukhanyo Rasmeni.
UWC Squad: 1 Reon October, 8 Nxumalo Mxolisi, 3 Robin van Rensberg, 4 Dane Samaai, 23 Jason Brown, 6 Akhona Bonga, 7 Thulani Mkosi, 19 Chad Smith, 9 Curtley Beukes, 10 Tapelo Sixishe, 15 Wade Crowie, 12 Phiwokuhle Mpalala, 21 Warren Alexander, 16 Siphosethu Pitoyi, 14 Ayanda Nkunkwana, 4 Ayanda Nkunkwana, 20 Kuhle Mpahlwa, 24 David Morgan.
Date: Monday, August 11
Venue: NMMU Madibaz Stadium
Kick off: 18:00
