BLOEMFONTEIN – The contest for the final semi-final spot in the men’s Varsity Football comes down to a direct, fierce showdown between the University of the Free State (UFS) and the University of the Western Cape (UWC). They face off today, Friday, at Shimla Park Stadium in Bloemfontein. Kick-off is at 19:15 of the last round of the tournament fixtures.

The winner of the high-stakes encounter will join already qualified semi-finalists who include the University of Johannesburg (UJ), Wits University and the University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks). The top trio will be gunning to tighten their grip at the helm.

The host Kovsies, led by Mokete Tsotetsi, are under immense pressure to qualify for the semi-finals to prove their pedigree as the defending Varsity Football champions. The remaining fourth slot is largely in the own hands.

The head-to-head scenarios UFS-UWC

The Capetonians are in fourth place with nine points, while UFS is in fifth position with seven points. Victory for UWC, the Caracals, automatically guarantees them a semi-final berth and will propel them to 12 points, completely knocking defending champions UFS out of the tournament regardless of other results.

A draw for the Capetonians would take them to 10 points, keeping them ahead of UFS on 8. However, that alone would not be enough to seal the fourth semi-final slot if TUT also reach 10 points and edge them on goal difference.

The Kovsies must win to make the semi-finals, and such a positive outcome will take them to 10 points and leave UWC stuck on 9 points. As long as Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) does not overtake them on goal difference in TUT’s own final match, the UFS boys will pull off a massive comeback to enter the semi-finals. If the sides draw, UWC stays ahead of UFS (10 points vs 8 points). However, a draw throws the door wide open for TUT (7 points). Should TUT win their final round game against the rock-bottom University of Limpopo (UL), they would also reach 10 points and could knock UWC out on goal difference.

Undefeated UJ, topping the log with 16 points meet cross-town rivals, UP-Tuks (10 points), in another enthralling match in Pretoria, kicking at 18:00. Wits, in second place with 13 points, clash Durban University of Technology (DUT), currently placed seventh on the log on 4 points.

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