Thanks to the loyal Varsity Football fans that braved the cold weather conditions to go to the stadiums and support their respective teams on Women’s Day. The cold front hit Mzansi and while love birds were cuddling indoors and others sitting in front of their heaters watching movies with popcorn; football fanatics raided their wardrobe to get warm clothes and head to support their teams. One would have thought that attendance would drop in numbers because of the cold weather, but instead the crowd played their part to create an electric atmosphere all over the country. Here are the five things that we learned in Round Three.
Fans were the biggest winners
What makes a good football game? Will the players enjoy the game if it were played in empty stadiums? The answer is a big no. Scores of supporters played their part by filling the stadiums to cheer on their teams in round three. We learned that without fans the beautiful game is nothing. The sixth edition of Varsity Football put some of the Premier Soccer League games to shame because of its huge attendances in each game. The numbers keep on growing with each game and it was evident that the tournament is going from strength to strength in the past round of matches. Kudus to the fans for coming out in their big numbers despite the cold front.
That goal by Chinedu Okolo sent the @TuksSport fans into full song!#iyachesa ?? pic.twitter.com/802HmqDfrh
— Varsity Football (@VarsityDiski) August 9, 2018
NWU’s fairy tale continues
The boys from Mafikeng are on a roll. They are enjoying a fairy-tale run in this year’s competition, but when will it end? NWU are the only team boosting a 100% record in the competition with three wins out of three. They just need three more points to guarantee themselves a place in the semi-final next month with a couple of games to spare. They are a completely different team from the one that huffed and puffed last year. Confidence is high in their camp and they seem to be enjoying themselves.
UWC are no longer invincible at home
They call their home a slaughter house, while some call it the operation room. But it was them who were operated on and they lost three points in the process. UWC seem to have lost their fear factor at home and they are on a free fall. The off form UWC lost all their opening three matches and they need a miracle to turn their fortunes around in their remaining four round robin matches. The going is getting tough and they will have to be at their best if they are still hoping to make the knockout stages via the back door.
UP-Tuks finally get off the mark
The defending champions eased their fears when they registered their first win of the season against struggling UKZN. They are known for being slow starters but hopefully their first win of the campaign will trigger a winning run. The holders started their season with a loss and a draw, but they put on a great performance to lay down the marker against the shell-shocked newcomers. Is this the beginning of their comeback? It remains to be seen but the signs are there that they are on a comeback trail.
There’s a three way battle for the wooden spoon title
It does not require a rocket scientist to know that the battle for a wooden spoon has now been reduced to three teams – namely UL, UWC and UKZN. The bookies have started to place their bets on which of the three will finish last. Your guess as is good as mine. Will it be UWC, will it be UL or will it be UKZN? We don’t know yet but the trio are fighting for that unwanted title at this stage of the competition. Let’s wait and see who will walk away with the crown.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer
