After slipping up in rounds three and four, winning away to North-West University (NWU) means that Central University of Technology’s (CUT) chances of qualifying for the semi-finals are firmly in their control.
A humbling on their first outing to University of the Witwatersrand (Wits) and a clinical reverse to favourites Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) destabilised CUT’s campaign.
One benefit of that bad, yet short-lived, run of form is that it allowed the Bloemfonteiners to reassess aspects of their game that needed attention and adjustment.
Travelling to a daunting Mafikeng encounter, CUT could ill-afford to drop more points as the competition nears its business end. The importance of mental strength, as emphasised by captain Morena Lehloa earlier in the campaign, was exemplified as CUT overcame an early concession before scoring two goals to claim three vital points.
Watch CUT concede in under a minute:
In equal measure, the commitment that was noted by CUT coach Rakometsi Mosai also expressed itself as a first away win for CUT became a reality.
Regardless of what happens in the other matches over the next two rounds, CUT can safely negotiate their way into the knock-out phase without relying on favours from their rivals.
By Sam Styrax
