Log leaders Wits long-awaited semi-final challenge awaits against TUT

Wits camp is filled with excitement and rightful nerves as their semi final against TUT approaches in the penultimate quest for glory in this year’s Varsity Football tournament.

The Educated Footballers took a 2-1 win over DUT in the last robin-robin clash to solidify a home semifinal against TUT this Friday. It will be the second time they have faced the Tshwane side in two weeks, where they took a gritty 2-0 win at Wits Stadium and it could help massively.

Captain Kgwadi Molepo said there is elation between the players, coaching staff and fans at the semi-final progress. Though, he acknowledges the job is not done yet.

“We have two phases in the tournament: the round-robin and the knockout phase. Our focus has shifted towards the knockouts. Us being first and securing the home semifinal gives us the motivation and encouragement to show that our hard work is paying off,” he said.

“We need to shift our focus to the knockouts and make sure that we apply ourselves the same way. The worst thing we can do now is complacent. We celebrated over the weekend, but now our next goal is winning, and making the finals.”

History shows TUT coming out on top in the knockout stages against Wits, when the Red Army clinched the title in 2018. This will also be the first time Wits has qualified for a semifinal since. Though there is a slight history between the sides, Molepo believes there is no place for focusing on the past.

“For us, it’s mainly focusing on our story. You can’t neglect the past; however we need to respect what happened before and write our own story. For now, it’s a new campaign with new possibilities and experiences. We want to focus on what’s happening now, and write our own story for the Wits books,” said the skipper.

Wits will face TUT at Wits Stadium on 25 September at 17:00.

Fixtures: HERE

Tickets: HERE

By: Khomotso Makgabutlane