The University of the Free State’s (UFS) men’s football team is poised to secure a slot in the semifinal of this year’s Varsity Football tournament, which it is aspiring to clinch.
Having a realistic chance of securing a semifinal berth and remaining intact in the hunt for its maiden trophy, Kovsies needs a draw or win as insurance.
This will see a repeat of last year: a local derby against the relegation-bound Central University of Technology (CUT), Free State, taking place on Thursday, 5 September.
Kick-off is at 18:30 at CUT Stadium.
It is do or die for CUT, who are desperate for a win to escape the dreaded relegation from South Africa’s premier university football competition.
While a draw will be favourable for CUT to survive the big chop, the team should, simultaneously, pray that the Durban University of Technology (DUT) loses by a wide margin to the North-West University (NWU). This outing is a must-win for NWU, who will join the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks), who has already qualified for the semifinal after bagging 13 points.
The other two teams eyeing semifinal berths are the University of the Western Cape (UWC) and the Vaal University of Technology (VUT). The sides are facing off in Cape Town on Thursday.
This year’s semifinals are scheduled for 12 September.
The UFS men dramatically revived their prospects to remain intact in the quest to win this year’s Varsity Football trophy when they demolished UWC by 2 – 0 in Cape Town on Thursday, 29 August.
Ahead of the fixture against the Capetonians, the Kovsie lads contended with being eliminated on points and better goal difference like last year. Their emphatic win, however, propelled them to sit pretty in second position, with 11 points. They boast a healthy tally of eight goals netted in five of six matches of the tournament.
Two players, captain Boy Rantsoti and Obakeng Seekoie, have been instrumental in the Kovsies’ healthy goal tally.
Both of them boast three goals to their boots and are compelled continue to bag more goals in forthcoming matches to keep alive the dream. In fact, the pair is among the four chasing the golden boot accolade this year, and and are one goal shy from joint-leading scorers Kgahlisho Kgomoeswana of VUT and Leandro De Sousa of UWC.
Kovsie’s coach, Tebogo Motsamai, said introspection done on the inability to convert goals is bearing fruit and he believes his charges have found the missing link in converting scoring opportunities.
“We are focusing on converting scoring goals as a team, as well as offensive play while keeping shape,” said Motsamai.
“We are creating chances, but converting chances has been a challenge needing focus.
“Our approach and mentality was positive, hence a win against UWC.”
Motsamai revealed that he had a full-strength squad, injury-free and with no suspension, to wage war with.
The UFS men lost by 0 – 4 to the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in the 2021 final, and that was the first time they reached the final.
The local boys had then disposed of the University of Pretoria (UP) by 2 – 1 to reach the final.
