The University of Johannesburg have buckled down and are aiming to get onto the leader board when they will face the Madibaz and UP-Tuks in the next two rounds of the 2017 Varsity Netball season this weekend at the Rembrand Hall, Pretoria.
The Auckland Park side have struggled to make a lasting impact in their seasonal campaign with 0 points under their belt, joining UWC and VUT Netball at the bottom of the log. A win can only boost the squad, giving them momentum to finish the term on a high.
UJ’s Angelique Molefe reflects on the team’s performances, stating the team has had challenges gelling together.
“Well we haven’t been performing the way we’re supposed to, we’ve just been finding it very difficult to gel but the coaches have gone back to the drawing board. They’ve identified problems and are working on them because compared to how we performed at the USSAs [University Sports South Africa Netball Tournament], this is not how we’re supposed to be performing. Hopefully now with the new set up and what the coaches are trying, it will work.”
The petite centre said they have one of the strongest squads right now and have a lot of strengths they can work with moving forward.
“I actually think this could be one of our strongest squads because we have a lot of speed. We have less height but we compensate for that with our speed like with our [goal] shooters. We have the shortest [goal] shooters but their movement in the circle is very good so I think it’s a great strength that we have.
“I think we have a lot of young people that are very hungry and want to prove themselves, and based on other years, we also have more support from management. We have an assistant coach that is very involved and our coach is not afraid to go back to the drawing board and try new things which is our strength.”
Molefe further gives her thoughts on the upcoming games against Madibaz and UP-Tuks.
“I think right now because of how we’ve been performing, a lot of teamas are looking down on us. They probably are looking for another win and an easy win, so I think now that our squad has changed this week, it brings a new element to it. They don’t really know how we are going to play because they have never really been exposed to the players that are playing this week.”
UJ will face Madibaz on Sunday afternoon at 16h00, then UJ will clash against Tuks on Monday night at 19h00. Both matches will be live on SuperSport 10.
UJ Team: Tanya Liecterkost, Erin van Wyk. Kim-Roche Holmes, Courtenay Davis, Nonhlanhla Angel Nkosi, Prescious (Nhlamulo) Mhlari, Intando Gumede, Halala Nxumalo, Ntokozo Ramaremisa, Jodie Brown, Lebogang Malahlela, Nompumelelo Mbonambi
By Liziwe Mbha
