With a handful of youngsters in their team, last year’s runners-up FNB UJ are looking forward to the 2024 FNB Varsity Cup Women’s tournament.
“We’ve got new girls from high school, which is a scary thing for them, but we look forward to showcasing their talent with the skill and knowledge that the coaches have provided,” UJ Women’s head coach Bongiwe Nhleko says.
According to Nhleko the beginning of the pre-season was difficult as the players and management were all trying to adapt to reach the same goal.
“In the beginning, it was a bit of a challenge because we’ve got a young team. So, in terms of preparations, it was heavy on the coaches due to players coming from different backgrounds and now we have this one goal that we must reach.
“We still have a few players from last year, but we lost a number of our seniors to the Springboks, some to provincial set-ups and some not doing well when it comes to school.”
With this year’s competition featuring six teams, Nhleko hopes to see growth amongst the players and the competition itself.
“UJ is all about empowering young girls and getting into proper setups and this is a great platform to showcase their talent, it is opening a lot of doors and growing the competition itself.”
Nhleko believes that the UJ fans will boost the team’s confidence on 22 March when they welcome FNB UWC in their opening match.
“We hope that the supporters will boost their confidence because they are the ambassadors of UJ, I always remind them to hold up their brand on and off the field and their performance because they never know who is watching.
“We are hoping that home ground advantage will be in our favour, but we know that UWC is not coming all the way to back down but to actually fight.”
SQUAD (subject to change)
Lethukthula Dlamini, Phophi Budzwa, Success Dlamini, Sindiswa Ngwenya, Lethiwe Buthelezi, Ntsako Mbombi, Fatouma Yalcoue, Siham Chitoui, Nthabiseng Ncalane, Boitumelo Motshoane, Siyonela Macamba, Mardiya Usamn, Khanyisile Ntai, Kuzivakwashe Gonangombe, Nyashadzashe Gonangombe, Tanyaradzwa Shava, Ababalwe Mndayi, Peaceful Nyathi, Thembelihle Ngozo, Ntandoyenkosi Nhleko, Sphilile Sigwaza, Thobile Msizazwe, Lucia Moselane, Salizwa Tyali, Jessica Sithole, Moumelelo Dlamini, Zandisile Jwara, Thandokuhle Mkonose, Nsuku Mitchel Mbhiza.
by Karabo Peter
For a full fixture list, click HERE.
