UJ hosts first day of the U18 African Bank Football Challenge

The University of Johannesburg (UJ) and it's football club have collaborated with African bank, Safa, and Gauteng department of sports, arts and recreation to host the African Bank U18 football Challenge for both boys and girls hosted in Gauteng region. The aim of the tournament is to dramatically improve the development of schools football in the Gauteng region, also eliminating inequality in the women's sport code. Hence, tournament director, Mr J Kgokong acknowledges the educators, coaches, parents, administrators and the players for their unwavering support to football development in South Africa.

Mr Joel kgokong

The U18 African Bank football challenge amplifies the Safa, vision 2022 long term plan that aims to fundamentally rebuilds the structures of Safa at all levels to create conditions that will bring about the sustained international success of our national teams inclusive of women's football nationally. There's great ambition to strengthen and eradicate any form of gender discrimination in South African football and Safa acknowledges a vibrant schools football programme is the heart of the problem.

On the 1 September 2017, UJ hosted the first day of the U18 African Bank football Challenge, having both boys and girls playing their first round matches. There's been great spirit and excitement from the participants inclusive of the coaches and decision makers of the tournament. It's a tradition for South African football players to sing before competing and Clapham high girls football team didn't disappoint with their singing and dabbing, unfortunately the jubilation couldn't match their performance inside the field. The #Iyabila tournament is much more than competition, students, coaches and partners are all here with the aim of building relationships and enjoying the unification of all the people involved in the first annual U18 African Bank football Challenge.

From left: P Ntshangase and A Dlamini

The tournament will be on from 1-3 of September 2017 and everybody is welcome to spend the day with us and cheer our youngsters on. It's a great platform for boys and girls equally to show case their talent and with great support from all spheres, its a win win situation for our participants. Again UJ Sport, together with their stakeholders encourage all to come out and support, finals will be hosted on Sunday, the 3rd of September 2017, come join us and be a witness to the amazing SA football talent we have.

By Jabu Mthombeni

UJ vs UFH

After a week off, the University of Fort Hare (UFH) take on the in form University of Johannesburg (UJ).

UFH travel away from home to take on the blazing 'órange army' (UJ) thursday night #Iyachesa, Varsity football. It's been an appalling three opening rounds for the Alice side and tomorrow they will face a ruthless UJ side aiming to boost their goal difference that will edge them  past their competitors. On the contrary, UJ hasn't managed to win at home, can UFH pull an upset far from home?

Tebogo Julius Mandyu

UJ get a massive injury boost, Katlego Ntsabeleng returns after a forced injury lay-off. However this is perfect timing to get some minutes under his belt, regain confidence and terrorise. Hopefully coach M Zwane will introduce Ntsabeleng just to excite the fans, "UJ loves Ntsabeleng aka Ntsiki, his one of our star players inclusive of the other ten contributing greatly to the puzzle" M Zwane humbly addressing media.

Katlego Ntsabeleng

The men from Alice need to search deep into their football souls and ask themselves questions. Soon the season will be over and the UFH dignity is at stake here. Playing for the badge, motivational talk needs to ringing into the UFH boys heads, the fans are desperately seeking some redemption and what better way than beating the kings of Joburg? Join us tomorrow at Auckland park, Bunting road campus, AW Muller stadium, Kickoff at 18:30.

By Jabu Mthombeni

My Soweto derby

It's been a rough and tumble for Orlando Pirates with Mamelodi Sundowns winning 6-0 against them, and drawing four games against Platinum Stars; Bidvest Wits;Cape Town City and Polokwane City. The question is, can they turn their run of form against Kaizer Chiefs?

It's all about the Soweto Derby! Saturday will welcome one of the biggest sporting events on the South African calendar. We expecting new faces on the day, hopefully they can positively have an impact on their teams performances. Fans are expecting to see a different Orlando Pirates, a team based approach, aggressive compared to the last five games where we saw a Pirates relying more on individual qualities. As for Kaizer Chiefs, fans are saying the Soweto derby favors Kaizer Chiefs based on their past performances but we all know that a team is as good as it's last match.

So we have Amakhosi who have form and momentum and Pirates, with Kjell factor. But us Kaizer Chiefs fans, we know the time is now for Coach Steve Komphela to claim responsibility and make his intentions clear regarding fighting for silverware. Honestly for years we've been waiting for coach Steve to step up and claim his seat amongst the elite in the South African coaching fraternity. There's expectations, excitement and fear, a whole lot of things. For the fans, the derby is everything, but we still expect fans to behave accordingly and have sportsmanship. Winning the Soweto derby you are giving the fans pride, a voice, it is something to talk about until they meet again. Tomorrow we meet again my friend, my closest rival.

Katsande; coach Steve komphela and G. Lebse

The fact that coach Steve is from my home town Kroonstad, my score prediction is 2-1 to Kaizer Chiefs. I stand behind it, I guarantee it...#Amakhosi4life!!

By Jc Mthombeni

FNB UJ fall short on the opener of Varsity Cup season:

UJ vs NWU PUKKE: PUKKE GRIND A WIN OUT IN A VERY HOSTILE, FULL OF ZIL #ORANGEARMY HOME GAME.

UJ Sheriff

The stage was set, it’s a rainy day in Auckland Park, and most would say this match favours PUKKE since they there defending champions. Overall looking at the game I personally give it to the UJ fans. The OrangeArmy brought the spirit, UJ Sheriff managed to amplify the crowed with his dance moves encouraging the UJ rugby “boytjies” to give a hell of a fight indeed. For the opener of the Varsity Cup season one could assume the fixture was little of a curve ball but most definitely UJ were the underdogs of the clash.

Observing the two halves PUKKE came of the blocks quicker, managed to settle and make their intentions clear. NWU PUKKE rugby team had moments where they play had been exceptional, showing glimpses of their 2016 form. On the opposite side UJ expected a tough game, maybe a more relentless PUKKE which was not the case and left opportunities to wrap up the game. Rain played its part in the match, causing players to be more cautious of their handling, conversions and penalties. Not only that I got the feeling that both teams (UJ vs NWU PUKKE) played very defensively, but who blames them when you want a strong, positive start to a highly competitive cup season.

This is not the end for FNB UJ and inevitably they will get better and stronger. It's a new era of players, senior player making way and giving opportunity to young deserving players. There's also change in Captaincy which affects the cohesion of the team but pre-season has worked wonders for both teams which looked sharp. undeniably there are a lot still to work on for both teams to achieve the level of rugby played last year season. It was a tense game between the defending champions and the FNB UJ, FNB NWU PUKKE managing to hold on their first win of Varsity Cup 2017 season.

UJ Stadium

All thanks must go to the University of Johannesburg, all the sponsors, STEINHOFF, Steers, FNB for their investments to making Varsity Cup rugby possible. The platform is contributing immensely to the development of our South African rugby. See you on 6 Feb 2017, FNB UJ vs FNB UFS SHIMLAS 18:30.

By Jabu Mthombeni