There are fine margins between winning and losing a match. That is something that we have learned as early as the first round of Varsity Football’s fourth edition. We were treated to a cricket score in Mafikeng. Hearts were broken in Pretoria as TUT snatched a late dramatic winner with virtually the last kick of the game against stubborn Wits.
CUT reigned supreme against UFH in the battle of debutants. Old rivals UWC held the competition’s powerhouse UP-Tuks to a 1-1 draw at their so called “Operation Room” in the Mother City, in the battle of the only two teams to lift the Varsity Football trophy. But who are the stars and the flops of Round One? Here the awards for the opening round of fixtures.
Flop of the week: NWU – for losing 6-2 to UJ
The comeback boys promised so much but delivered so little. They were humiliated in front of their passionate supporters. NWU-Mafikeng were like chickens coming home to roost. Their stadium in Mafikeng is known as the ‘Slaughter House’, but on Monday night it turned into a nightmare. That’s because they were slaughtered in their own back yard instead. NWU were subjected an embarrasing defeat, leaving their fans disappointed. Conceding six goals sent shockwaves through the tournament. They probably wished that they could dig a hole and hide in it. NWU will hope to forget the first game as soon as possible.
Hot this week: UJ for turning on the style against NWU-Mafikeng
TUT’s late dramatic victory against Wits in the capital city was something special. Their 2-1 victory broke Wits hearts. But the star of the first round of fixtures has to be UJ. The 2014 finalists turned on the style against NWU-Mafikeng, tearing them to shreds. UJ dished out a serious football lesson when they exposed the leaky NWU-Mafikeng defence. Nobody saw this result coming. UJ are this week’s team of the tournament and they deserve a pat on the back for their wonderful display.
Player of the week: Katlego Kgetjepe – TUT
Matthew Edwards of UJ scored a brace against NWU-Mafikeng, as it rained goals in in the North West’s capital. But the player of the week accolade goes to TUT’s fearsome striker Katlego Kgetjepe. He scored once and gave the Wits defence a torrid time at the back. This talented boy is the TUT’s talisman and he will terrorise opposition teams this season.
By Charles Baloyi — Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer
