Whirlwind 2021 Varsity Football season comes to a head for Wits
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Wits Football concluded a whirlwind 2021 Varsity Football campaign as both the men’s and women’s sides put in impressive season-long performances.
Wits FC won three from the seven games they played, going down in three and playing to a draw in one, before capping off the season on 10 points, four points adrift of eventual winners, UJ Football.
According to men’s mentor Alzavian van Rheede, the past season was crucial for the development of the team and individual players, with Wits notably surviving the stream of death in the ABC Motsepe League.
“The mentality was tested to the end. To survive the stream of death and compete with the big boys was seen as a big positive. As for [our run in] Varsity Football, it had its positives and negatives,” conceded van Rheede.
“We had a goalkeeping problem that affected us throughout the tournament. However, we fought until the last day of the round-robin games. We managed 10 points but missed out on a semi-final by a point.”
Looking ahead, the coach said the succession plan for the 2022 university football season revolves around rebuilding the team.
“With that mind-set, we will remain the same, meaning we want to win every competition we play in and produce exceptional, educated footballers that will become winners and well-rounded human beings with amazing values,” added van Rheede.
Winger Welcome Masemola enjoyed a dream season by his assessment. As a major takeaway, Masemola – who scored the opening goal of the tournament for the blues – relished the camaraderie he was able to enthuse in the established set-up.
Despite his favourable individual performances, which saw him finishing on four goals for the tournament, the winger lamented the team’s shortcomings.
“Varsity Football was a dream come true for me because it was my first time playing for Wits in the tournament. It was not a good tournament for us as a team because there were many difficulties.
“Individually, I learnt how to become mentally strong and how to be a team player or show up every time my team needs me,” Masemola said.
“I think I did well for my team and myself. I’d rate my overall performance as a 7/10. I played the most minutes compared to my teammates, and I appreciate the technical team for always believing in me. In return, I gave the team four goals.”
In reflecting on the season that was, mercurial captain and central midfielder, Saluleko Mathonsi highlighted a season of lessons that taught the playing group “the importance of efficient mental and physical preparation.”
“We lost a couple of games right in the end, and the number of injuries that we suffered showed that we were not physically prepared,” mentioned Mathonsi.
“We also found it hard to get back to our best after losing a couple of players.
“Efficient preparation will have to be our main focus going into the upcoming competitions … if we are well prepared, I don't see anything that can stop us.
“We want to qualify for next year's competition so we can rewrite our wrongs. It would be great for us to qualify with gold medals on our necks,” Mathonsi added.
Departing attacking midfielder Tebogo Mandyu relishes the chance to shine, once more, for the institution following his last-ever Varsity Football appearance in Wits colours.
Despite competing in his swansong campaigns, Mandyu said his focus is on par with that of the playing unit, the first of which is the ongoing ABC Motsepe League, before shifting the attention to the USSA Football Championships in December.
“The objective going into ABC and USSA is to do better than we did previously,” the final-year student told Wits Sport.
“I think the 2021/22 season will be my last, but until then, I'll continue giving my all for this great institution.
“To be a part of Wits University means a lot to me, and I'll forever be grateful to the technical team and the management at Wits Sport for the opportunity they gave me,” Mandyu concluded.
Wits squad:
Goalkeepers: Giovanni Idi, Minenhle Mbatha
Defenders: Kal Laing, Simangaliso Dlamini, Lendle Brown, Bradley Mongwe, Joseph Musungaie, Njabulo Makhanya, Neo Maja, Matthew Welgemoed, Wendelle Martin
Midfielders: Muhamad Carrim, Bokang Tlali, Mthande Skosana, Tebogo Mandyu, Saluleko Mathonsi, Welcome Masemola, Biko Sibande, Kgwadi Molepo, Clinton Mphahlele
Strikers: Mthokozisi Sibisi
Wits Technical Team
Head coach: Alzavian van Rheede
Assistant coach: Steve Matlou
Assistant coach: Andile Zulu
Goalkeeper coach: Fanafuthi Vilakazi
Strength and conditioning coach: Kelello Tswai
Physio: Jenna Levendis
Team manager: Phuthego Mokgethi
Compliance officer: Vinolia Austin