There will be hit-and-misses, stars and flops, winners and losers. Not all the players were made to kick a ball and we will see the evidence of that as the tournament progresses. There is excitement in the air as Varsity Football is upon us. Every team has its own talisman; here are a few of the players that are expected to set the tournament alight.
Omphile Majwafi – UJ
The 24-year-old Business Management student is a versatile footballer. He is eager to use this platform to display his aura of talent. Majwafi is more comfortable in the middle of the park but he can also defend when he is required to. He is a 2014 Varsity Football finalist and the stage is set for the dazzling footballer to stamp his authority on the pitch. An added incentive is that he will also be wearing the captain’s armband. The fact that UJ were absent from last year’s edition means that they will come out guns blazing in the fourth edition. Earning a victory in Mafikeng is a daunting task for UJ in their opening game against NWU at their slaughter house, but the presence of their skipper could inspire his team to greatness. Not just in the opening game, but in the entire tournament.
Elliot Seema – TUT
Last year’s beaten finalists are blessed with an abundance of attacking talent. TUT can put any team to the sword on their day. But what is the point of having an attack-minded team if the defence is leaking goals? This is where Seema comes in – the hard as teak centre back will be leading his side from the back. A solid back four will make things easier for the Tshwane-based institution and with Seema, who is enrolled in Finance and Accounting B-tech, they should be able to keep a few more clean sheets. He is a veteran in the team and he has been with them since 2013. He is also on a mission to earn a PSL contract.
Greame Dor – Wits
Last season the poacher was troubled by injury playing just two matches, but he has fully recovered and is raring to go. Opposition teams will find difficulty in locating the troublesome attack. He will surprise a lot of people with his finishing prowess in front of goal. He is fast, quick on his feet and he is not the one to waste goal scoring opportunities. Dor is the man for the big occasion and a striker that Wits will bank on for goals. He is a special player. Call him a rare breed.
Sipho Mateis – NWU-Mafikeng
The 25-year-old is not just wearing the captain’s band, but he is tasked with the big mission of helping his team to win their first Varsity Football title. He is a lanky midfielder and he will trouble a lot of teams in set-pieces with his height. Coach Amos Xabanisa is looking for a hero who can end NWU-Mafikeng’s title drought and in Mateis he has unearthed a gem. He is certainly the one to watch out for in the NWU outfit. He is not a skillful player, but his impact in the pitch and leadership will make all the difference.
Mbongeni Masilela – Tuks
The talented midfielder is not in his first year with the two-times champions. He has been here and tasted the sweetness of winning this trophy a couple of times. But he was overshadowed by the likes of Jeremiah Nkwana, who had an educated right foot. With an almost new team, Masilela will be the main man to carry the team’s hopes of regaining their title from UWC. With his experience and the hungry team mates by his side, he will want to go for broke and prove that he is talented enough to get noticed.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun Sports writer
