The game between Wits and NWU-Mafikeng that was postponed earlier in this season’s campaign of the Varsity Football tournament, will be played on Thursday evening at 18:00 at the Bidvest Stadium at Wits, in Johannesburg.
Last Monday evening saw Wits pick up their first victory of the season, when they managed to get a 3-2 victory over rivals from across the Juskei river, Tuks. However, on Thursday evening when Wits host NWU-Mafikeng, Tuks will be rooting for their Gauteng rivals due to the fact that their fate is in the Witsies’ hands in the last fixture of the round robin phase of the tournament. If NWU-Mafikeng win then Tuks is out and NWU go through, while if Wits secure the victory, the Pretoria-based side then secure their spot in the knockout phase.
Sadly for Wits, their spark of magic came a little too late in the season because anything that happens in tomorrow’s fixture will still see them finish within the bottom two, which in turn means they’ll be out of the tournament. The only thing left now for Wits, is just to finish the season off strongly in front of their supporters, who turned up well last Monday to support their team.
After Monday’s match against Tuks, at the teams post-match function, Wits team manager Sanele Nene addressed the players and opposition coaches in attendance.
“On Thursday evening we will look to go out there and put in a big performance against Mafikeng,” said Nene. “Even though we are out of the running.” The Wits manager further added that they will now look to build for next season’s campaign as well as another University tournament coming up later this year.
The Wits management have also chosen to stick with the same match day squad from Monday evening, with Lyndon Crouch, Tristan Gatter and Mahle Mtabane looking like they’ve shaken off the knocks they took against Tuks. This will hopefully bring consistency on the pitch as Wits remain unbeaten at home and will look to finish their season off strongly. The hosts will also be hoping striker Graeme Dor is on top form again after picking up a hat-trick in Monday’s game.
The game will be televised live on SuperSport from the Bidvest Stadium on 1 September 2016 at 18:00. Supporters are urged to come in their numbers and witness this do or die clash for NWU, while Wits will look to spoil another party and remain unbeaten at home.
Wits starting XI: Brylon Peterson (GK), Snethemba Msane, Keamogetswe Molalake, Kaizer Maphanga (C), Tristan Gatter, Obert Rukato, Saluleko Mathonsi, Koketso Sefako, Mahle Mtabane, Lyndon Crouch, Graeme Dor
Subs: Sthembiso Zuke, Abram Mahate, Tumisang Manamela, Iacovos Ioannides, Shaun Mantintela, Keitumetse Maloka,
Tshireletso Motsogi
By Sifiso Nyawo
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