The 2022 Varsity Football will see Wits University competing in their seventh season when their competition gets underway against tricky opponents, the North-West University (NWU) on Thursday evening at the Wits Football Stadium.
This is particularly a big year for the Wits, which is celebrating its 100th anniversary, which could be sweetened by their first-ever Varsity Football title.
This has led to the Wits squad being upbeat about the season ahead but at the same time not getting carried away with the journey that lays ahead.
“The Wits Football Club along with the University turns 100 years old this year and therefore we are definitely looking to do the University proud and do our best to go as far as possible, and hopefully go further than last year and at least reach the semis,” says new captain Kal Laing, who dons the armband for the first time in his fifth campaign.
Defender Bradley Mongwe will be the team’s vice-captain, whilst the man that will be barking out the orders from the dugout will be seasoned head coach Alzavian Van Rheede, who remains at the helm for the Johannesburg outfit, assisted by Andile Zulu.
Wits have only featured in one final in eight editions of the competition so far, losing narrowly to a clinical TUT side in the dying moments at the Wits Football Stadium in 2018. Since then, it hasn’t always been smooth sailing, with Wits dropping out of the top four on the final day of last year’s round-robin stage.
“There are a lot of mixed feelings ahead of the tournament,” added Laing.
“I can see the nerves in some of our younger guys and the excitement on those that have some sort of experience in the tournament. All in all, we are looking forward to giving a good showing of ourselves in this year’s tournament.”
Despite their mixed results, the Witsies have also promised not to stray away from their attractive brand of football, with their skipper reassuring supporters that the style will not change.
“Not much has changed in the approach to games, we are going to go out there and do what Wits is known for over the past few Varsity Football seasons. That’s a lot of passing, excitement and patience in the attack.”
Ahead of the first match against NWU, Laing also sent a brief message to the whole Wits community, as fans are back allowed in the stands this year.
“I’d like to ask our fellow Witsies to please come out and support us as it would be of great motivation for us players. We are nothing without the 12th man in the stands. We need you WITSIES!!”
Full Wits Varsity Football squad:
Goalkeepers: Daniel Shapiro (99), Skylar Martin (1), Phelelani Mavuso (16)
Defenders: Kal Laing (5) (Captain), Simangaliso Dlamini (6), Leonardo Brown (17), Bradley Mongwe (22) (Vice-Captain), Lwazi Ntuli (20), Aden McCarthy (21), Matthew Welgemoed (2), Wade Poole (14), Mthande Skosana (3), Nkosinathi Sibiya (18)
Midfielders: Muhammed Carrim (19), Bokang Tlali (8), Mokete Buthelezi (15), Kgwadi Molepo (4), Mmuso Smith (23), Welcome Masemola (7), Sifiso Mazibuko (11), Nkanyiso Maphosa (9)
Forwards: Nhlakanipho Khumalo (12), Luthando Zondi (10), Siphesihle Ntombela (13)[Text Wrapping Break]Kgomotso Sekhute (31)
By S’fiso Nyawo
Thursday’s round one fixture between Wits and NWU kicks off at 18:30 at Wits Stadium.
You can get information on how to get tickets here
