Tuks’ slow start is a cause for concern. I hope that I will not live to regret my decision of putting all my eggs in one basket. I did what I did based on what I have seen first-hand. Watching and analysing how Tuks play, led me to pick them as the team to beat this season.
But so far things are not going according to plan. Nothing suggests that they are the team to beat and destined to go all the way. Based on their first three games, it doesn’t look promising. But then again it’s still too early to hit any panic buttons and to read too much into their slow start could be dangerous.
I won’t change my mind, but I’m starting to worry and having a bit of doubt about the gamble that I took before the start of the competition. While the fifth edition of the popular Varsity Football is starting to take shape, things are not in place for the boys from the University of Pretoria. What I do know is that they must get their house in order. While TUT, their neighbours and bitter rivals, are enjoying early season form, things are falling apart for them. I didn’t expect that Tuks would be in search of their first win going into the fourth round of the competition. Should we blame it on Lady Luck? Of course not – in football you have to create your own luck.
Tuks should go back to the basics and aim to do things right. Tuks’ poor start is without a doubt a cause for concern. Those who were thinking that we should ignore their bad start are now wondering why it is taking so long for them to find their second gear. But whatever TUT is doing at the moment seems to be working for them. They are on top of the log and play an exciting brand of football that produces lots of goals too. The Red Machine is on the right track and they are destroying anything that stands in their path. But I’m still sticking to my story of them not defending their title.
I have nothing against TUT, but it’s just a matter of time before they start feeling the heat and as a result, failure in their bid to win the title for the second year in a row. Surely Tuks will pick themselves up from the ground and recover from their slump to win the competition?
Maybe that breaking point won’t happen in the round robin, but it will cost them when it matters the most as TUT should know by now. NWU have made a solid start but then again we see them playing like this every year at the beginning, but collapse in the last stages. Perhaps the biggest surprise of this year’s competition is a team that I was quick to dismiss from the word go and it’s none other than UWC. They have started their campaign well even though they are banking points in their home games and continue to struggle on the road.
That could be a good or a bad thing, depending on how one looks at it. CUT have simply picked up from where they have left off last season and they are building on that wonderful debut. With a bit of luck they could go further than they did last year.
With UFH, the less said about them the better. They continue to be a charity case and are still being targeted for points. Wits are unpredictable – you never know what to expect with them. They are blowing hot and cold and don’t seem to have learned from their experience in the past years.
As for UJ, they are still in the mix but they have to pull up their socks if they are to be regarded as the best team in the competition. Talent is there but commitment seems to be lacking.
After three rounds I can safely say the tournament is taking shape and we are beginning to see the teams that will potentially make the cut for the top four. Fans can now start to pick their favourites to win the tournament. It’s still a long way to go but the opening three rounds have shed some light on who can do what. I’m still for Tuks, but admit that TUT is dangerous and they are difficult team to beat. Let’s enjoy the next four rounds to see what it has in store for us.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer
