Varsity Football newcomers UJ will play their first home game on Monday when they welcome the NMMU Madibaz to the Bunting Road Campus Sports Complex in Johannesburg.
Bradley Carnell’s side gave a good account of themselves in their Varsity Football debut match against UWC in Bellville last week, with a late free kick salvaging a draw for the home side.
UJ will be hoping to go one better than that in front of their home crowd on Monday, but face a tough assignment against NMMU who were also held to a 2-2 draw against NWU in Port Elizabeth last week.
Carnell has made only a few key changes to his side, with Karl Clements relegated to the bench due to an injury scare he suffered against UWC.
“I am happy that we have enough depth across the whole squad to exchange positions without the loss of quality, but we will take it week by week,” Carnell explained.
Last year’s beaten finalists NMMU will be without their captain Kurt Duff who is not available for the clash, but coach Graeme Harrison remains positive that his replacement Motlhabi Karabo will step up in his absence.
Although his side will be seen as favourites heading into this game, Harrison said that they will not be taking the well-drilled UJ side lightly.
“You cannot afford to underestimate any of the teams in this competition, they want to make a big impression in their first season and they have nothing to lose so they will be very dangerous,” he said.
Teams:
NMMU: 24 Lyndsay Jennings, 3 Warren Kops, 5 Athini Bisha, 16 Lundi Balfour, 12 Onela Beqezi, 11 Kieran Koert, 19 Motlhabi Karabo, 4 Zukisani Mtendeni, 15 Alexander Owusu, 8 Lukanyo Rasmeni, 10 Cloudius Sagandira.
Substitutes: 1 Matthew Booysen, 2 Lukanyo Stemele, 7 Cornelius Matuoane, 9 Lukhanyo Ndabeta, 22 Reginald Mabokane, 21 Kevin Kevido, 20 Litha Fingo.
UJ: 1 Trent Harrison, 3 Wisdom Mathebula, 4 Grant Bruchhausen, 6 Lwazi Nogenga, 7 Lerato Tleane, 9 Ruwell Jagger, 11 Tebogo Mandyu, 13 Tshepo Tolo, 14 Ruben De Freitas, 15 Sandro Claro, 18 Ponshu Nyathi.
Substitutes: 2 Stuart Peverett, 2 Matthew Edwards, 8 Lumkile Dava, 19 Karl Clements, 12 Steven Sibanyoni, 16 Mfundo Mazibuko.
Date: Monday, July 28
Venue: UJ Bunting Road Campus Sports Complex
Kick-off: 18.00
