UJ skipper Sphesihle Mbhele believes their clash with TUT will be a ‘war’ when they host the Pretoria side on Thursday evening.
With all the fanfare around TUT, whether it’s their 2018 Varsity Football win, continual graduation of players to the professional ranks or retention of iconic coach Bushy Moloi for 2019, UJ have been allowed to prepare for this season on the quiet.
After all, it should be remembered that the Orange Army officially finished top of the table last season.
Then, with the television cameras elsewhere, they won their tournament opener, 1-0, against a CUT team who were back-to-back semi-finalists in 2016 and 2017.
UJ captain, Sphesihle Mbhele believes that win is what his side needed before playing a red-hot TUT team.
“Getting our first win was a great morale and confidence booster for our next game. It boosts our confidence and belief, that it’s all possible. After all, going to play against the defending champs won’t be easy,” Mbhele says.
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History backs Mbhele, who is just 18 years old, up as TUT hold sway in previous meetings. The two teams have met four times previously, with TUT winning twice and claiming a draw in another. Significantly, one of those wins was in the 2016 final when TUT emerged 2-1 victors. However, an oft-repeated saying goes that ‘you’re only as good as your last game’ and UJ won that, 1-0, last year.
Mbhele, seemingly, has reminded his teammates of facts like that in the build-up to what will be an intriguing clash at UJ Soweto Campus Stadium.
“The soldiers are motivated and focused on the task at hand which is getting maximum points. Playing against them won’t be easy but they must brace themselves for war.”
As it happens, UJ coach Mandla Zwane is backing his troops. He has has only made one alteration to the starting XI from the CUT match with Preston McKay replacing Tristan Nikitaridis. Meanwhile, goalkeeper Richard Lona and Sibusiso Dlamini also come in from the cold onto the bench.
UJ vs TUT: 27. Alan Mabuza (GK), 17. Sihle Mbele, 4. Lesego Sebetlela, 13. Aidan Basiak, 14. Thabang Lebese, 2. Nkosinathi Sibiya, 21. Gerald Ndlovu, 6. Sphesihle Mbhele (capt), 5. Preston McKay, 25. Keegan Faver, 11. Kamohelo Molatlhegi.
Replacements: 28. Richard Lona (GK), 20. Prince Matje, 24. Lebogang Mosiane, 10. Sibusiso Dlamini, 8. Phelelani Mvelase, 7. Junior Makhubele, 23. Lebone Lephiri.
Thursday’s game will kick off at 18:15 and be broadcast live on SuperSport 4 and SuperSport 10. Tickets are available for just R10 via the Varsity Sports App, downloadable from the Apple Store on iOS devices or Google Play Store for Android users. Alternatively, follow match updates on our Varsity Diski social media platforms.
