Following a rollercoaster season for VUT Men’s Football in last year’s Varsity Football campaign, the Mavuti are licking their wounds and are hoping to make amends on the lessons learnt.
VUT coach Sibusiso Mokondo lamented that the team from the Vaal’s inability to make it through to the knockout phase last season was a big blow.
“It was a bittersweet season indeed (last season) because the aim was to reach the semifinals, but unfortunately we couldn’t,” said Mokondo.
“I think our biggest lesson is to try, this time around, to unite the team and to play as a collective because last season we relied heavily on individuals so we’ve changed that this season.”
VUT is forced to construct in the new life without their talisman Ntokozo Mgidi who was last season’s tournament sensation, awarded for his efforts as he claimed the FNB player of the tournament accolade, and a key player for Mavuti in recent years.
“Unfortunately Ntokozo Mgidi won’t be part of this season’s team due to the age requirement but we have a lot of good players,” adds Mokondo.
Having the status of “good but not good enough” hanging over them for a while now in the Varsity Diski competition, the objective for VUT this season is clear, a semifinal spot, and it is what the men from the Vaal believe they can attain.
“It’s yet another chance and opportunity to showcase what VUT is really made of and the objective this season is to reach the semifinal. We are coming back stronger and better than before” concluded Mokondo.
VUT Provisional squad:
Goalkeepers: Sibusiso Mira, Tebogo Mosia.
Defenders: Kgotso Nhlapo, Perseverance Mashabane, Kenneth Mokoena, Tokollo Mokoena, Desire Ndhlovu, Gontse Kole, Kamohelo Ramalefane.
Midfielders: Lucky Raphala, Siyabonga Nombewu, Kgahlisho Kgomeswana, Tshiamo Seshabela, Morena Lekhetho, Lehlohonolo Ncambe, Sibusiso Motsepa, Thabiso Singo, Marumo Lekoloane, Siyabong Shabangu, Bongumusa Zwane, Rekebert Nape.
Forwards: Katlego Chiloane, Roger Modiba, Sibusiso Baloyi.
VUT kick off their campaign against UP-Tuks on Thursday 25 July at TUT Stadium (6:30pm).