UWC turned on the style to demolish the out of sorts Limpopo in emphatic style. Perhaps relief is the best word that can be used to sum up their stunning victory. We have a new leader at the top of the log in the form of UJ. While the title-holders UP-Tuks are huffing and puffing and placed outside of the semi-final spots, TUT are slowly positioning themselves as a team that has the potential to capture their second title in the history of the tournament. Nothing has been decided yet and there is still more to play for. But we can agree that Limpopo and UKZN are officially out of the running for the semi-final stages. It was an interesting round of matches. Here is what we learned in Round Four.
14 points will be enough to guarantee a home semi-final
Take out your calculator and do the maths and you will see that 14 points will be enough to secure the top two teams a home semi-final. UJ and TUT need four points to guarantee their home semi-final appearance as things stand. But things can still change as the two teams will cancel each other out in their next match. Fourteen is the magic number as we have seen over the years. Teams that can still finish on 12 or 13 points will definitely make it into the semis but probably not with a home semi-final.
UWC were in seventh heaven
It took four games for UWC to find their rhythm in the tournament. The boys from the Mother City did the unthinkable when they surprised even themselves with a big margin victory against struggling Limpopo. It was raining goals in Cape Town and they players and fans must have felt like they were in heaven. It’s the biggest winning margin of the season after UJ thumped Limpopo 7-1. Will UWC kick on from here? That remains to be seen but they restored their confidence and we now expect them to turn on the style in their next match again.
NWU surrender their unbeaten run
Someone had to lose and unfortunately it was TUT that broke the home team’s hearts in front of their own supporters. After holding the umbrella for three weeks, NWU were brought down to earth with a painful defeat. Let’s face it TUT are experienced and have big match temperament. It’s not a train smash for NWU; not all is loss it’s just one defeat to their name and there are still three matches to play. As things stand UJ and TUT are the only unbeaten teams in the competition.
The goal that made the difference! @Sport_TUT players mob Siphamandla Zanekele after he scored the goal that resulted in the TUT victory over @theNWU.
NWU 0 – 1 TUT#VarsityFootball pic.twitter.com/La1v4O73xl
— Varsity Football (@VarsityDiski) August 16, 2018
UKZN is the only team without a point
It’s official – UKZN are a charity case. They donate points week after week regardless of where they play. Their stats do not make for a good reading as it reads: played four, lost four. They are being targeted for easy points. Their players are now used to losing matches and it’s not funny. The big question is will they lose all their round robin matches? The answer to that question will be revealed in the remaining three matches.
Wits and Tuks should refund fans their ticket fees
Fans struggled to stay awake during the boring game between Wits and UP-Tuks. It was a dull affair as the two teams played the first goalless draw of the competition. The match could have played the whole night and there would not have been a goal. There was nothing to write home about in this match. On the evidence of their goalless draw, both teams would be better off outside of the semi-final spots. It was Tuks ‘worst game in the history of the competition. They didn’t play like they were the holders. As for Wits, they succeeded in putting their fans to bed with a lacklustre display.
By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer
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