The hottest university football tournament on the continent, Varsity Football is back with a bang this month of July. Supporters will be welcomed back with 100% capacity allowed, no more bio-bubble, no more masks, only 100% guaranteed entertainment from some of the most promising talent in the country come the 21st.
“We are very excited to welcome fans back to stadiums this Varsity Football season,” says Xhanti-Lomzi Nesi, Head of Varsity Sports at Advent Sport Entertainment and Media (ASEM). “Fans can look forward to the unique varsity experience only Varsity Football offers. Apart from the football action, fans can look forward to the #IyachesaFAN challenge at games and on social media, as well as some great exciting promotions from our main sponsor, FNB.”
“Tickets for all matches will go on sale soon and we encourage our fans to get their ticket before they are sold out,” adds Nesi.
After several near-misses, the
University of Johannesburg made history by lifting the title in a memorable
final last time around with a 4-1 drubbing over Kovsies masterminded by head
coach Karabo Mogudi.
There were several standout performers from UFS top scorer Sello Diphoko, UJ target-man
Tristan Nikitaridis, who earned a professional move to Baroka FC after his
showing, along with Tumelo Molubi and Thulani Zandamela – with both Orange Army
youngsters being snapped up by Mamelodi Sundowns just weeks after their title
success.
UJ open up their campaign against a wounded Tshwane University of Technology
who fell well short of expectations last time around despite a squad brimming
with talent led by the experienced Bushy Moloi.
Tournament favourites North-West University failed to defend their title but
they will be brimming with confidence and looking to restore their order after
their senior team, which held a large contingent of their Varsity Football
squad fell at the final hurdle of reaching the second-tier of professional football
in South Africa last month.
With home and away games to enjoy once more for the eight teams involved, the
bright lights await, with UJ, Wits, NWU, UFS, University of Pretoria,
University of Kwa-Zulu Natal, Vaal University of Technology all holding the
opportunity to contest for the coveted honour once more.
“The Varsity Football tournament has really elevated my well-being and my
career and on top of that for the boys, it’s been a stepping-stone for them to
showcase their talent, and well basically to attract a lot of professional
teams,” Mashela who guided NWU to the ABC Motsepe League National
Play-Offs semi-finals said.
“As for me, it’s made me who I am today as I’ve grown up to become a
professional coach and I’ve grown and done wonders for myself. But we still say
that we’re still gunning and really concerned and itching to develop more
players here in the country, especially from [the] grassroots level.
“On top of that, it’s really helped us to gain momentum [going into the
ABC Motsepe League] and improve our football – other than that, from my side
and NWU side, we’re prepared and getting ready for the first game against Wits
University on the 21st of July.”
UKZN who secured the unwanted tag of the wooden spooners will be looking
towards restoring pride to their region and are under new leadership with
Bafana Bafana legend Delron Buckley set to lead the troops this time around.
It marks another major coup for the tournament, with his former national
teammate Bradley Carnell once turning out for UJ – before his career exploded
to the point where he’s now a head coach of Major League Soccer (MLS) franchise
Saint Louis Football Club.
A tournament that entertains and excites, but also a stepping stone to
greatness in the most-watched sport on the planet.
The opening round of Varsity Football 2022 will see the eight men’s teams
pitted against each other:
- UFS vs UP-Tuks (17h00) – Shimla Park
- Wits vs NWU (18h30) – Wits Stadium
- VUT vs UKZN (18h30) – Peter Booysen Sports Stadium (PMB)
- UJ vs TUT (19h15) – UJ Soweto Stadium
Catch the 2022 Varsity Football action live on SuperSport, non-televised game will be streamed via SuperSport Schools while ticketing details will be announced in due course.
The Men’s edition of Varsity Football will take place between 21 July and 22 September, while the Women’s tournament will be played in October.
