The stage was too big for NMMU as their fairytale run in Varsity Football ended with a heartbreaking defeat.
The Madibaz were taught a football lesson by UP-Tuks as they went down 4-1 and it was a case of lacking in experience as they succumbed to their only defeat in the competition at the final hurdle.
Key players Cloudius Ray Sagandira and Niven Kops were gracious in defeat and they highlighted their downfall as a result of stage fright.
Zimbabwean striker Sagandira, who wears jersey no.10, said the nerves got the better of his team. The talented footballer said his team were overwhelmed by the whole experience and they just couldn’t find their rhythm. It was the Port Elizabeth-based outfit’s only loss in the competition after going eight games unbeaten.
However, when the stakes were higher, the Madibaz just fell apart and everything that Tuks touched seemed to turn into gold.
“Obviously we’re disappointed but we lost to a great team.
“Our tactics were a little bit shaky, but the occasion was also too big for us. We had a great run before the final but we were out-played, out-classed and out-thought in this match,” said Sagandira.
Kops, who is usually solid at centre back, was exposed at the heart of the defence. He walked away with the strike of the series award, which he views as a form of consolation.
He would have preferred to be crowned as a champion over individual honours, but it was not meant to be. Kops, who is also nicknamed ‘Andile’ by his team mates said: “We didn’t stick to our game plan I don’t think that we turned up for the game at all.
“But reaching the final is a big achievement. Our objective was to reach the last four and we surpassed that,” he added.
But what did the Madibaz lack against the attack minded Tuks, who were backed by a full house?
“Firstly we lacked confidence and secondly the occasion was too big for some of us and we didn’t rise to the occasion. But we will bounce back next year,” vowed Kops.
By Charles Baloyi – Sports writer Daily Sun and Sunday Sun
