UWC may have picked up only one point from their first two outings in the Varsity Football campaign, but coach Aboobakar ‘Boebie’ Williams is confident his team will turn the situation around soon.
Backing his hope is the fact that the Bellville-based side created at least three clear-cut scoring opportunities during their narrow 1-0 loss away to the North West University on Monday, unlike their first game when they struggled to get into the box.
“We struggled in the first half and conceded an early goal,” recalled the former head coach of the South African Under 17 and Under 20 teams.
“But the team was stabilised after we made substitutions and we tried our best to equalise but it wasn’t to be,” he added.
Their opponents had their fair chances to score more goals but UWC goalkeeper Reon October produced another superb performance to earn his second FNB Man of the Match award in a second consecutive game.
In normal football terms that means a team is struggling defensively.
But Williams believe his side will be much stronger in defence in their next game when they welcome the University of the Free State at home on Monday, August 4. Captain and centre back Cleo Pokpas is expected to have fully recovered from a knee injury which side-lined him last night.
And Williams, a well-known football educator, believes his side is getting better and better.
“Unlike most other universities, our team has not played together regularly. Only three players were part of the squad last year, and most play for different clubs. But I think we are improving bit by bit and we will come right in the next few games,” he said.
By Myolisi Gophe
