Wits saw their 2022 Varsity Football campaign get off to a rocky start when they went down 2-1 at home to the North-West University (NWU). However, this result hasn’t dampened the spirits of the Educated Footballers, as they prepare for a tough trip to Pietermaritzburg against the University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) on Thursday evening.
Wits are under new leadership on the pitch, with former Kaizer Chiefs Multichoice Diski Challenge defender, Kal Laing earning himself the captaincy for the 2022 campaign after having played for Wits, in the past four seasons.
Varsity Football caught up with the Wits captain, to chat about his first experience of leading the side and his ambitions for the season ahead despite the defeat in the first game.
Varsity Football: How did it feel leading Wits out for the first time?
Kal Laing: I can’t find the right words to explain the feeling of being given the chance to lead the Wits team, it’s something that I dreamt of doing when I first started here, and I’m glad it finally happened. I’m just hoping to do right by my team and coaches that have put their faith in me.
Varsity Football: What’s been your favourite part of leadership in the team?
Kal Laing: My favourite part about leading the team has to be, being put in a position where I can guide and help our younger players grow, both on and off the pitch.
Varsity Football: What was going through your head after the first game as the captain
Kal Laing: At the end of the game I was very sad because we know that nobody enjoys losing, but I focused my thoughts more on the positive aspect of the game where the team showed a lot of potentials and played well for most of the game. I tried to look at the result more as a lesson learned instead of a loss.
Varsity Football: How are you guys looking to pick yourselves up from the defeat
Kal Laing: So we are looking to win our next game to get things rolling. To do this we are just trying to correct the wrongs that we noted from our last game, and then also perfect the things we did right in the game against NWU.
Varsity Football: What words did you share with the team after the defeat?
Kal Laing: I firstly thanked the boys for their efforts and then I told to them to allow themselves to grow through all the emotions of losing so that they feel exactly what it is like and then this will make them work hard every time for them to not feel like that again.
Varsity Football: What’s the mood been like in the squad after the first game?
Kal Laing: There is a real positive vibe within the team and we are all looking forward to the next game where we are hoping that we can pick up three points.
Varsity Football: And lastly, what are your football ambitions after this season?
Kal Laing: So since this is my last Varsity football tournament, I’m looking to put my best foot forward with the hope that I can catch the eye of a professional club. The dream is and always will be to land that professional contract.
You can get information on how to get tickets here: https://www.old.varsitysportssa.com/football-fixtures-results/
By S’fiso Nyawo
