When the University of Johannesburg began their campaign, there were high ambitions and a dream of making it all the way, however going into Round Six they face a do-or-die tie against Wits.
UJ are on the brink of elimination, after winning their first and only match of the season in a 6-2 encounter, they have only managed to collect a dismal two points out of a possible 12. The team now faces a do-or-die tie against neighbours Wits in search of sparking a late qualification surge into the playoffs.
“We have not been up to par so far this season, the team has not been able to penetrate the oppositions as I would wish, we have dropped another three points, but in football we have learnt that if there’s a will there’s a way and we will have to start believing to avoid elimination,” said coach Mandla Zwane.
“We need to start believing, we cannot go into the game against Wits doubting ourselves, we owe our fans a lot and with Wits not winning a game this season, we will look to pounce on that and hopefully get the three points we have been desperately starving for,” said the captain Ruwell Jagger.
The University of Wits also have had a season to forget, as they have yet to win a game this season, and sit rock-bottom of the Varsity Football league. However the Wits side have a game in hand over their rivals and if they are able to pull off an upset against UJ, who says they won’t make it to the playoffs?
The Varsity Football league with the exclusion of TUT and CUT has been unpredictable, with all of the teams below the top two playing poorly, but a chance for all of those at the bottom to qualify still lurks. UJ will need to dig deep and put it all on the line if they wish to make it into the playoff spots.
The match between UJ and Wits will take place on Monday the 22nd of August at the Soweto Stadium. The match will be televised on SuperSport and kick-off is at 16:30.
UJ starting XI: Damaine van Der Walt, Ruwell Jagger(c), Ntokozo Tshabalala, Funnynight Sisimogang, Dane Futuin, Lindani Mazibuko, Sthembiso Manana, Tshepo Tolo, Pogiso Mabote, Tebego Mandyu, Samuel Warder
Subs: Simphiwe Xaba, Mpumelelo Sambo, Sbongeleni Gamade, Jared Abrahams, Melusi Mahlaba, Given Msimango, Katlego Ntsabeleng
By Nkosinathi Shazi
