UWC’s good performance in this year’s Varsity Football may have secured them a much-sought after semifinal spot, but they have no intentions of taking their foot off the pedal in their last game of the round-robin league.
Although on paper not much will be played for when the Bellville-based side visit Port Elizabeth to take on the bottom of the log NMMU on Monday, for Udubs the game is not less important than their previous outings.
Coach Salie Adams said the idea of the team is to make sure they keep the momentum.
“Yes, there maybe one or two personal changes in the starting eleven, but we want to continue with the momentum of winning.
“It’s not about resting players or giving other players an opportunity, it’s about making sure that we maintain the intensity and concentration of not conceding goals and of creating enough opportunities to score. The players have bought into the idea and it doesn’t matter who plays everybody needs to do their function and play their role according to the tactical demands of the team,” he explained.
UWC go to the game with an impressive record of being the only side not to have tasted defeat this season, having won five matches and drawn one.
The 1-0 victory over Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) 1-0 on Monday extended UWC’s lead on top of the log standings to unreachable 16 points (the chasing pack are six points adrift with one round of games remaining), and sealed them an advantageous home semifinal spot for the first time since Varsity Football was established.
Having accomplished their mission to reach the semis, the focus has now turned to winning the semifinals and reach the finals, Adams said.
“From here we need to ensure that we bring some success to the institution. To achieve the success the players deserve is to win the semifinals,” he said.
Adams was happy with the success and said it was mission accomplished for the University, thanking the commitment and team work of his players.
He also praised the contribution of the fans, the technical staff, administrative and medical staff as well as his predecessor, Boebie Williams, “for laying a good foundation for the team.”
Adams, the former assistant coach of Premier Soccer League side Maritzburg United, commented that UWC’s success in the Varsity Football will put the institution on a higher pedestal and will help to attract talented footballers to come study knowing that there is a platform and a stage to perform football at a higher level.
By Myolisi Gophe
