Rookies UJ have emerged as the surprise package of Varsity Football and they have made a statement of intent.
But their coach Bradley Carnell has warned his players not to get carried away by their rich vein of form.
They produced a giant-killing act against the Madibaz in Round Two with a commanding 3-0 victory that sent shockwaves to the big guns in the tournament.
But few would have given them a chance in the Gauteng derby against their illustrious sporting rivals UP-Tuks.
UJ recorded an emphatic 4-0 victory over Tuks in their fortress in Pretoria to register the biggest upset of the competition. A result that no-one saw coming and achieved against all odds.
They top the log with seven points and they are in the driving seat to reach a historic semifinal in their debut competition. Perhaps the objective has now been shifted from a semifinal to a home semifinal.
But Carnell was quick to remind his charges that they have not achieved anything yet.
Carnell said: “We came here with a game plan and stuck by it we were not scared to keep the ball whether we play at home or away.”
“I hope that it’s the reward that we have put in over the course of pre-season. Individual brilliance from the little man Tebogo Mandyu in the midfield was incredible.”
Carnell said that he found the small man just three months ago and already he is performing miracles at the heart of UJ’s midfield.
“We try to give opportunities to youngsters and he is just 18. He is now performing at the bigger stage and that is great”
But after their resounding victory over the defending champions, teams are now watching and they will target UJ.
“Teams are now watching us now we have to evolve adapt and change our set up all the time. Each game brings the best out of this team. But the result was a bit flatttering to be honest,” said Carnell.
Although his team is on top, Carnell is not even looking at the current log table.
“Whether we are on position one after three games, the question is can we buy anything with it? Not yet we need to have achieve a couple of good result under our belts first before we can get excited. We play Kovsies next and they are dangerous. We are working hard at it and the boys are smelling blood they are enjoying it” he explained.
Carnell said his boys are humble and they are not showboaters and flashy type of a team.
“We will go wild if and when we achieve our ultimate goal of the semifinals and not before the mission is completed. We can’t celebrate because there is nothing to celebrate after three games.”
Defensively UJ are as solid as a rock and Carnell said they work hard on their back four.
“Defences win you matches and we are organised. I put in a lot of effort and time and I have been with this team for over a year and I have an unfinished business with this team,” he said.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun Sports writer
