The giants of Varsity Football are ready to lock horns in what promises to be a mouth-watering final between UJ and UP-Tuks at Soweto Campus Sports Complex on Monday.
UP-Tuks are the reigning champions, but debutants UJ have also proved their worth this season as they come into the final unbeaten.
The Johannesburg students have also not lost to UP-Tuks since Bradley Carnell took over as UJ coach more than a year ago.
Besides playing in front of their home supporters in Johannesburg, Carnell believes this statistic could give his side a psychological edge on Monday.
UJ have conceded most of their goals from set-pieces this season and Carnell has since urged his players to “use their common sense and refrain from committing silly fouls”.
According to Carnell, UJ have been working on their defence this week and will rely on captain, Grant Bruchhausen, to solidify the backline as he has done all season.
The home side will lament Lwazi Nongenga’s suspension after the defender was sent off in the semi-final against UFS-Kovsies earlier this week.
Carnell has an adequate replacement in Matthew Edwards, who has also been struggling with a thigh strain and needs to be assessed.
The former Kaizer Chiefs defender says he will not put any pressure on his players as they have already outdone themselves in their debut season.
He wants his players to go out and enjoy their first Varsity Football Final, saying he has urged them to keep playing the football that has been turning heads this year.
UJ also boast three wins and a draw against their Pretoria counterparts since the beginning of 2013, including a 4-0 drubbing in Pretoria earlier in August.
Despite that record, Carnell has urged his players to stay humble for the final, saying they will respect their opponents and not get ahead of themselves.
Carnell will be assessing his players this weekend to choose the best starting-eleven and have promised an open game of attacking football for what should be a cracking encounter on Monday night.
UJ Squad: Trent Harrison, Mduduzi Khumalo, Wisdom Mathibula, Ruwell Jagger, Matthew Edwards, Stephen Sibanyoni, Lerato Tleane, Lumkile Dava, Tebogo Mandyu, Kaylan More, Jarred Abrahams, Grant Bruchhausen (c), Tshepo Tolo, Ruben De Freitas, Sandro Claro, Omphile Majwafi, Pontsho Nyathi, Karl Clements.
Date: Monday, September 15
Venue: UJ Soweto Campus Sports Complex
Kick-off: 19:00 (Match live on SuperSport)
