Either UJ or Kovsies will lift the Varsity Football trophy for the first time at Tuks Stadium on Monday night.
UJ finished top of the eight-team log with 14 points after winning four matches, drawing two and losing one. Kovsies were third on 12 points after three wins, three draws and one defeat (1-0 to UJ).
In the semi-finals, UJ won a penalty shootout against TUT 5-4 after a 1-1 result in regulation time and Kovsies beat Tuks 2-1.
Being in his first Varsity Football final has still not sunk in for UJ coach Karabo Mogudi. The closest he had come before was when his former team Wits reached the semi-finals in 2015.
Most regard UJ as favourites to win the final but Mogudi insists that’s not the case.
‘Football is unpredictable,’ he says. ‘The final has no favourites. It’s a dream to play in the final – I’m still pinching myself – and I want to enjoy the occasion. I think we have a 50-50 chance of winning.’
UJ will pin their hopes on Nkosinathi Sibiya – who has been nominated for the FNB Player of the Tournament award – Pogiso Mabote, Sanele Mhlungu, Ngoanamello Rammala and Tumelo Molubi.
Kovsies go into the final as underdogs and will aim to become only the second team from outside Gauteng to lift the trophy (UWC did it in 2015).
They will rely on captain Thabo Lesibe and Sello Diphoko, who have both been nominated for the FNB Player of the Tournament award.
Coach Tebobo Motsamai is a man of few words who prefers to do the talking on the field. He doesn’t show his emotions and it takes a lot to make him happy.
‘Our goal was to make the semi-finals and we surpassed it,’ he says. ‘There is no pressure on us. We want to enjoy ourselves and take it from there.’
The final will kick off at 19:15 and be broadcast on SuperSport Variety 4 (DStv channel 209).
ROAD TO THE FINAL
UJ
Beat NWU 3-1
Drew 1-1 with Wits
Beat UFS 1-0
Beat UKZN 2-0
Drew 0-0 with Tuks
Lost 1-0 to TUT
Beat VUT 5-3
Drew 1-1 with TUT, won 5-4 on penalties (semi-final)
UFS
Beat UKZN 1-0
Beat Tuks 3-1
Lost 1-0 to UJ
Drew 0-0 with NWU
Drew 1-1 with TUT
Drew 2-2 with VUT
Beat Wits 1-0
Beat Tuks 2-1 (semi-final)
TOP GOAL-SCORERS
Sello Diphoko (Kovsies) – 5
Thulani Sibisi (VUT) – 5
Banele Hlophe (NWU) – 5
Welcome Masemola (Wits) – 4
Sanele Mhlungu (UJ) – 3
VARSITY FOOTBALL FINALS
2013: Tuks 4 Madibaz 1
2014: Tuks 1 UJ 0
2015: UWC 2 TUT 1
2016: TUT 2 UJ 1
2017: Tuks 2 TUT 0
2018: TUT 2 Wits 1
2019: NWU 1 TUT 0
PREVIEW: Women’s final – UWC vs Tuks
By Charles Baloyi
