The burden of expectation in the Varsity Football competition is weighing heavily on the shoulders of North West University.
Since the tournament kicked off, all eyes have been on them and they were installed as early favourites for the title, but NMMU managed to defy the odds to force a 1-1 draw Mafikeng on Monday.
And now the pressure seems to be taking its toll on coach Augustine ‘Mthakathi’ Makalakalane’s charges.
They started the tournament like a house on fire, but they are now finding the going tough after picking up a single point in each of their last two matches.
Rantese Otlaarongwa’s goal for NWU was a contender for a goal of the tournament, but he went from a hero to a villain when he got a straight red-card for a clumsy challenge.
The entire second half NWU were on the back foot as NMMU stepped up their game to grab a share of the spoils.
Coach Makalakalane admitted that the red card disrupted his team’s momentum.
“It’s not a lost cause yet, but the spotlight has been too much on the boys and they don’t know how to handle all this attention so it has affected them on the pitch.
“After the sending off we had to adjust and sort out a few positions and compromise and exposed ourselves as they came out strongly.
“We still had chances and they equalised due to a lack of communication at the back,” he explained.
For a side that was free-scoring in their opening two matches, goals are now scarce and the coach was quick to note that.
“Scoring goals would have enabled us to bag the three points but we seem to be struggling in that department at the moment and it’s a cause for concern for us.
“We are not scoring goals and we have to get that part correct,” he added.
Rantese’s sending-off clearly upset Makalakalane but he says that he didn’t get a good look at the tackle.
“The referee was closer and he had a better view but I think that it was a 50/50 ball. He lost the ball and went tried to recover it. The intention was not to kick but to win the ball but we have to get over it,” he said.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer
