UWC in high spirits

UWC is breezing with excitement with staff and students in buoyant mood in anticipation of their Varsity Football semi-final match against Wits at home on Thursday evening. Kick-off is at 18h00.

It is a game that is certain to put the institution on a high pedigree and give the players an opportunity to showcase their talent to the world, particular to potential scouts from professional clubs.

Coach Salie Adams noted that the game will be an “auspicious occasion” for the University and even a bigger and better opportunity for players to achieve something. He said preparations for the game have gone very well and his charges are physically and mentally rehearsed to go out and do battle.

The two sides played to a goal-less draw in Johannesburg in their round-robin fixture. However, UWC go to the game in the back of a 1-2 defeat at Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University last week while the visitors beat Vaal University of Technology 2-1 to secure their semi-final spot.

But Adams, the former Maritzburg United assistant coach, believes those results will mean nothing come match day.

“Having won their last three matches, it’s obvious they (Wits) have gained the momentum and have some good players in their team. But as much as we should be weary and aware of their danger players, I think they are more concerned about us.

“We didn’t finish on top of the log for nothing. Having said that, we need to be cautious, we need to be careful and we need to concentrate and take our chances to win the game.”

According to Adams, the loss at NMMU was a good thing for players to come off that pedestal and know that they are not invincible and can be beaten if they don’t concentrate for 95 minutes.

“Now I can see the hunger and the tenseness in the individual players who want to do well. And the atmosphere is also relaxed and everybody knows what is required of them, which is a good sign.”

Adams said the players deserve to be complimented for their efforts and ability to achieve their initial target of reaching the semis. “From the beginning the players bought into the idea and knew what was needed to achieve our first goal, which was achieved in good fashion. The next objective is to get to the final. There is a lot of positivity around campus and the team, and the support of the institution bodes well for the game.”