Although UWC has drawn all of their opening three matches and are currently lying in fifth place on the Varsity Football log, the Western Cape side is still confident of securing a semi-final spot at the end of the round-robin stages. UWC are traveling to Alice on Monday 8 August to take on Fort Hare, who have lost all of their opening games so far and sit at the base of the log.
According to UWC coach Salie Adams his boys are still on the right track to achieve the goal they set themselves – to be in the top four. “The boys are still on point to reach their target to qualify for the top four and if they win the next game there’s a good chance they will achieve this target.”
Adams believes the team should have won both their previous games but struggled to defend and score goals and made unnecessary mistakes. “We should have won the last game if we didn’t concede. But due to a lack of concentration or a lack for application of techniques maybe, we didn’t. But, it happens with a new team team of young players who are still trying to get to know each other.”
The fact that the team has not yet lost a game should be considered a sign of progress and Adams promised to give new players a chance to prove themselves and show their skills as the tournament progresses. The team will make one change to the team that drew 2-2 with CUT last Monday, with Brent Layman being replaced by Renaldo Leaner.
“There will not be many changes made to the line-up for Monday’s game against Fort Hare. We need to give the other players an opportunity so that we can see how they play and figure out the right combinations. But there is improvement in individual players in training and in matches,” Adams said of his team.
To the fans, Adams said they play a vital role in motivating the team, and although the results may not look good, called on supporters to believe in the team and spur the players on.
UWC face UFH on Monday 8 August at 19:00 in Alice. The match will be live on SuperSport.
UWC starting XI: Renald Leaner, Keenan Davis, Clinton Herwel, Akhona Bonga, Thulani Mkosi, Masibulele Maseti, Eathon Swart, Suhayl Allie, Josh Silent, Phiwokuhle Mphalala, Kwanele Nocanda
Subs: Brent Layman, Ryan Steer, Andile Phango, Jason Britz , Lukho Phikela, Akhona Cawe, Aghmat Ceres, Giovani Gaffoor
By Zandile Bangani
