UCT have a tricky clash ahead as they prepare to host defending Varsity Football champions and current log leaders, UP-Tuks, at Green Mile in Cape Town on Monday.
After a first round draw to UL, Ikey Warriors will be keen to bag some points, but will have it all to play for as Tuks look to increase their lead in the standings.
UCT head coach, Rowan Hendricks, feels his team can do better in attack and has focused on improving that aspect of their game this week.
The squad remains similar to the 19-man team put out last Monday with the only changes being forced by injuries to Cody Williams and Charlie Mbatha. To compensate, the coach has brought in Jeffrey Tikolo, Warren Versfeld and Kurt Allie.
Hendricks has also rallied the Cape Town fans to support the Warriors on Monday after only a handful turned up last week.
“I think the team needs more support from UCT. Not that we thrive on it, but we would like more support from UCT,” he said.
The coach is well aware of the challenge UP-Tuks pose, but feels his side have what it takes to beat the reigning champs.
“They have a very knowledgeable and very good coach. They will pose an aerial threat, be very organised and unlike UCT they have a bigger pool of players to choose from because they’re also affiliated with their PSL team,” he said.
“But where Tuks have players with more skill at UCT our players are more intelligent on the ball and they play with heart. We are warriors, and that’s why we call ourselves the Ikey Warriors,” he added.
UP-Tuks have made five changes to their starting line-up for the clash on Monday.
Head coach, Evangelos Vellios, has changed his attack after watching some videos of the UCT team’s previous matches.
Vellios has opted for Botshelo Mfulwane on the left wing and Mbongeni Masilela on the right. Mfulwane and Masilela will support striker Lucky Mathosi, who also gets the nod to start on Monday night.
The coach says he has depth within the team and feels specific players can be used to make a difference in different games.
“Each game has its problems and within our squad we use specific players to solve those problems. We have Jarryd van den Berg and Dean Wilkinson, who were key players for us last season, returning from injury and we have included them in the travelling squad. We might make 1 or 2 changes to the squad but first we will assess the conditions in Cape Town before we make the call,” he said.
“We expect UCT to be disciplined compact and resilient and we don’t want the game to drag to the latter stages as we know they are very capable of snatching a win or a point from us if we keep the game within distance, so we will take the game to UCT and we are sure it will be a tough game with them having their crowd behind them and being accustomed to the conditions,” he added.
Other changes to the Tuks first eleven include central midfielder Jeremiah Nkwana and captain Robin Swartz also returns to play just in front of the Tuks defence.
Irvin Tshabalala and Vuse-Umuze Khosa started in the reigning champs’ opening 1-0 win against Kovsies last Monday, but Vellios has chosen them as substitutes against UCT. Galane Tebego failed to make the 18-man squad.
Teams:
UCT: 5 Gregory Bryer (C), 6 Byron Donaldson, 8 Khotso Nare, 10 Simangaliso Makalima, 15 Matthew Jackson, 18 David Frankel, 20 Sepolo Taaso, 24 Kurt Allie, 7 Jeffrey Tikolo, 4 Dylan Fine, 23 Warren Versfeld.
Substitutes: 1 Bevan Adonis, 3 Nkululeko Pitoyi, 11 Michael Salgado, 19 Thansanqa Malusi, 21 Jonathan Melamdowitz, 9 Louis-Romain Moussi Sopp, 14 Jody Brown.
UP-TUKS: 32 Lebo Ngubeni, 13 Lindsay Stowman, 8 Nicholas Killas, 2 Botshelo Mfulwane, 4 Lawrence Ntswane, 10 Jeremiah Nkwana, 18 Lucky Mathosi, 3 Robin Swartz (C), 20 Thabo Ndlovu, 5 Simbongile Njokwe, 9 Mbongeni Masilela.
Substitutes: 1 Nicholas Stothard, 17 Irvin Tshabalala, 22 Dean Wilkinson, 23 Vuze-Umuze Khoza, 15 Jarryd Van Den Berg, 7 Luke Steyl, 11 Richard Moremi.
Date: 28 July 2014
Kick-off: 18:00
Venue: Green Mile, Cape Town
