Wits bag 2-0 victory in 2021 Varsity Football Season Opener
- Nandi Buthelezi
The Witsies played the season opener for the 2021 Varsity Football tournament against Vaal University of Technology (VUT). The team arrived to cloudy skies at the University of Pretoria – with a short trip to the Varsity Football bio bubble, which will see three bubbles hosted at the institution; two of which will feature the top eight men’s football teams from the different universities.
The Women’s side is set to make their debut and play in one bubble, which will host: the University of Witwatersrand, North West University, University of Limpopo, Tshwane University of Technology, University of Western Cape, University of Johannesburg, Durban University of Technology and the University of Pretoria. This will be Wits University’s debut season for the Women’s football side.
With kick-off underway at 14:00, the team took to their changing room with song to get ready for the warm up and what would be a season opener against the Vaal side, on the starting lineup was: Mthokozisi Sibisi, Kal Laing, Lendle Brown, Giovanni Idi, Simangaliso Dlamini, Biko Sibande, Tebogo Mandyu, Welcome Masemola, Matthew Welgemoed, Saluleko Mathonsi and Bokang Tlali.
With a tightly contested first half, the Witsies were eager to capitalize on their opportunities and this was demonstrated by their many attempts at goal. After the halftime break, a new Wits team stepped onto the pitch with a few changes - bringing on Muhammad Carrim to replace Biko Sibande and Clinton Mphahlele who came in at a later stage of the second half for Tebogo Mandyu.
Welcome Masemola, who dons the number seven jersey with his first attempt at target, hit the goalpost - and it was second time lucky when he struck for goal at his second attempt to put Wits in the lead with a score of 1-0 in the 56th minute.
Welcome Masemola celebrating the first goal of the 2021 Varsity Football Tournament - Photo: Nandi Buthelezi
He then went on to score a brace in the 86th minute giving Wits a 2-0 lead and a clean sheet for goalkeeper Giovanni Idi.
Wits will face UJ in the next clash which is set to take place on Friday, 10 September 2021 at 18:00 at Tuks Stadium.
Games will be broadcast on Supersport.
Simangaliso Dhlamini, Welcome Masemola and Lendle Brown celebrating the first goal of the 2021 Varsity Football Tournament - PC: Nandi Buthelezi
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