NWU hope to bring high-flying UWC down to earth at the second time of asking when the two sides meet at during Thursday’s Varsity Football semi-final double header in Cape Town.
Should NWU manage to end UWC’s run of wins at ‘The Operation Room’ then the Noble Boys from Mafikeng will reach their first ever Varsity Football final – something they’ve come close to three times previously.
“I believe that lightning does not strike twice at the same place,” NWU coach Karabo Masehela tells varsitysportssa.com ahead of their second trip to the Cape in a week.
“Revenge will be on the minds of my players having lost in the last round-robin game [2-3] against the same team last week.”
NWU is the only team of the four semi-finalist who are yet to lift the Varsity Football trophy. UP-Tuks boast three titles (2013, 2014 and 2017), TUT are desperate to match them having won in 2016 and last year while UWC are seeing similarities to their run to the 2015 titkle this time around.
Having missed their own chance of hosting a semi-final by virtue of their loss last week, NWU captain Paseka Matsheka says they have learnt from this previous encounter.
WATCH: NWU captain Paseka Matsheka gives his Noble Boys insight
“We took more lessons from our last game and I believe going forward we will not repeat them,” he believes. “I think we should also take our opportunities.”
The 24-year-old is mindful of the pressure he and his team are under considering their history in the tournament.
“We want to achieve what our predecessors could not achieve the past seven years of Varsity Football. We want to do well as we need it more than any team in the semi-finals,” adds the fourth year B.Com Management student.
The NWU side are expected to have a full-strength squad available for Thursday’s match, which will kick off second during the double header.
“We do not have injuries or suspensions but we will be making slight changes to the starting line-up based on the tactics that we want to implement,” reveals Masehela.
Masehela also claims that his players are psychologically and physically ready for this game.
“The players are motivated and hungry for the opportunity to play in the Varsity Football final and to hoist the NWU flag high.”
The first-ever Varsity Football semi-final double header will take place on Thursday at UWC Sports Stadium. Tickets for both matches are available on the Varsity Sports App (iOS and Android compatible), and they will be broadcast live on SuperSport 204 and 210. Follow @VarsityDiski on social media for match updates.
By Phenyo Mokgothu
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