With the Varsity Football round robin completed, there were plenty of highs and lows, Chalres Baloyi admits that TUT made him to eat humble pie. Their fairy-tale run in the past seven weeks left me with an egg on my face. I for one thought that they would collapse, but they surprised friend and foe to finish the round robin stages unbeaten and on top of the standings. As for UP-Tuks well they huffed and puffed to a second place on the log. Tuks are the national champions at varsity level but they made heavy weather of securing a home semifinal, so I’m still not convinced by their performance in their seven matches. While the competition is still on-going, the biggest disappointment of the round was NWU. With all their pedigree and experience they dismally failed to secure a home semifinal spot. And now they have to qualify for the final the hard way. The reason for their failure to secure a home semifinal was caused by the media spotlight on their football institution and players. They simply let the spotlight get to their heads. They were their own worst enemies and had a disappointing campaign. But they have the ability to turn the tables around. But take nothing away from TUT they have an amazing set of fans, which always fills up their stadium. They have hungry players, who play as a unit and their will to win is second to none. NMMU also impressed they were an unknown quantity but troubled a lot of teams. Tuks and NWU emerged as pre-tournaments favourites from the onset. While NMMU and TUT are a closed chapter now that everybody knows about them I wonder how they will handle the pressure of the knockout stages. TUT have come a long way in this competition, but can they do it when it matters the most and book a home final? That remains to be seen. It would be an injustice if they don’t finish this tournament on the podium with either silver or gold medals dangling around their necks. Even if they don’t do it, they are champions in their own rights. They have defied the odds in this competition already. In my opinion NWU will still win this competition, they will beat Tuks to reach the final. That has not changed in spite of their defeat to Tuks. Tuks packed the bus in that game anyway and they will be forced to open up at the back in front of their home fans. My match of the round robin is TUT against NMMU, it was a four-goal thriller that ended in a 2-2 draw. That match kept everyone glued to their television sets and on the edge of their seats, it was end to end stuff. The last minute goal with virtually the last kick of the game made things exciting. My player of the round robin is NWU striker Thabo Mnyamane, who has found the back of the net on seven occasions. It’s not by fluke that he is the leading goal scorer he is such a prolific striker and he deserves every credit. AmaTuks made the right decision to snap him up and offer a three year contract. Halala Thiboz you deserve it. NMMU hard tackling centre back Niven Kopps and NWU midfield maestro Sylvester Moses have impressed beyond any measure. But the lowest point was seeing Free State University supporters throwing all sorts of objects into the field after their team lost 4-0 to Tuks. That was uncalled for and it shouldn’t happen again. But Premier Soccer League referee Thabo Nkosi is the biggest loser of them all. He stole the limelight when he arrived at the NWU and Tuks game on Monday night. For a professional referee that was uncalled for and unprofessional of him. This competition has showed professionalism of the highest quality, it doesn’t need incidents like that. I hope such things will not happen again only players are allowed to shine and not match officials. Semifinals predictions: TUT will beat NMMU NWU will defeat Tuks. By Charles Baloyi – Daily Sun and Sunday Sun sports writer
Posted on: Fri, 06 Sep 2013 07:01:59 +0000
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