It will be either UJ or Kovsies who will lift the Varsity Football trophy for the first time at TStadium on Monday night. UJ finished top of the eight-team log with 14 points after winning four matches, drawing two and losing one. Kovsies were third on 12 points after three wins, three draws and one defeat (1-0 to UJ).
In the semifinals, UJ won a penalty shootout against TUT 5-4 after a 1-1 result in regulation time and Kovsies beat Tuks 2-1. Being in his first Varsity Football final has still not sunk in for UJ coach Karabo Mogudi. The closest he had come before was when his former team Wits reached the semifinals in 2015. Most regard UJ as favourites to win the final but Mogudi insists that’s not the case.
‘Football is unpredictable,’ he says. ‘The final has no favourites. It’s a dream to play in the final – I’m still pinching myself – and I want to enjoy the occasion. I think we have a 50-50 chance of winning.’
UJ will pin their hopes on Nkosinathi Sibiya – who has been nominated for the FNB Player of the Tournament award – Pogiso Mabote, Sanele Mhlungu, Ngoanamello Rammala and Tumelo Molubi. Kovsies go into the final as underdogs and will aim to become only the second team from outside Gauteng to lift the trophy (UWC did it in 2015). They will rely on captain Thabo Lesibe and Sello Diphoko, who have both been nominated for the FNB Player of the Tournament award.
Coach Tebobo Motsamai is a man of few words who prefers to do the talking on the field. He doesn’t show his emotions and it takes a lot to make him happy. ‘Our goal was to make the semifinals and we surpassed it,’ he says. ‘There is no pressure on us. We want to enjoy ourselves and take it from there.’
The final will kick off tonight (Monday, 04 October) at 19:15 and be broadcast on SuperSport Variety 4 (DStv channel 209).