We are heading towards the business end of the round robin stages of Varsity Football. There will be no margin for error as we enter the fifth round of matches. There are just three matches to play before the top four teams progress to the semi-finals. It is not done and dusted yet, even UWC of all teams have an outside chance of sneaking in via the back door. It’s getting hot as we are heading into the final stretch of the popular Varsity Football tournament. Here are round five score predations:
UJ 1-1 TUT
UJ host TUT in a top-of-the-table clash in Mzansi’s biggest township. Fasten your seatbelt ladies and gentlemen we are in for a rough ride. Sparks are set to fly in arguably the pick of the fifth round matches, in Soweto. The mean red machine from Tshwane ended NWU’s short reign at the top of log table. TUT handed NWU their first defeat of the season in front of their own supporters. The last year’s finalists will be looking to do damage to UJ by giving them their first defeat of the season in their own backyard. The biggest incentive is a place in the semi-final and top spot for the first time this season. Both teams are level on 10 points after four matches, but UJ are on top due to their superior goal difference. UJ will see this match as their biggest test.
Here’s how UJ did last week:
Wits 1-2 NWU
Neither team can afford to lose this one. NWU were brought down to earth by their slender 1-0 defeat against TUT in their own backyard in their previous game. Wits on the other hand were lethargic in their goalless draw against the defending champions UP-Tuks. It’s not an easy game to predict and it could go either way. Both teams have lost just one match and are separated by just two points. If Wits slip up in this match they can find themselves outside of the semi-final spots in fifth place. Tuks will be waiting to pounce on them if they crumble. NWU will hope to avoid back-to-back defeats as that could throw them into a panic mode.
UKZN 0-2 UWC
Yoh! UKZN are dropping points at an alarming rate. It’s UWC’s turn to receive free points. UWC will not pass this opportunity to build on their biggest winning margin of the season against Limpopo in KZN. The Mother City-based outfit are going into the game against the tournament’s basement side high on confidence following their seventh heaven showing against struggling Limpopo. Even a blind man could see that UKZN are being targeted for easy points and it looks like that trend is set to continue. UWC will win this game without breaking a sweat. The home side will collapse again as they have developed a losing habit this season. Expect UWC to experience a dose of good fortune on the road with a rare victory for a change.
UP-Tuks 4-1 Limpopo
Tuks couldn’t have asked for an easier opponent to boost their chances of qualifying for the semi-finals. It’s not raining, but rather pouring for Limpopo as they have leaked seven goals against UWC. It is the second time they have conceded seven goals in a single match after their opening day 7-1 loss to UJ. Tuks will not show them mercy as they will rip them apart. The defending champions are in danger of missing out of the semi-finals and what a time to fire a warning shot to the rest of their rivals with a seemingly easy game on paper against Limpopo. Football has the element of surprise, but don’t count on Limpopo to turn the table they are going into this match low on morale. The visitors will not cope with the Tuks backlash after they wasted a good opportunity to register three points against Wits in their previous game. Tuks will rock the boat as they are chasing a semi-final appearance.
By Charles Baloyi – Sports Writer Daily Sun and Sunday Sun
