After slipping four places on the 2017 Varsity Football tournament due to their two consecutive lost games against the University of Western Cape and the Central University of Technology, the North-West University’s (NWU’s) Varsity Football team clinched their much-anticipated victory against the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in the sixth round of the tournament.

Tshepo Richard Baholo, jersey number 8, drew first blood in the first half of the game to roars of approval from NWU team supporters who braved the chilly evening and long distance to support their team.

Determined to avenge last year’s defeat against UJ which saw them lose 6- 2 in the 2016 Varsity Football tournament, the NWU’s Cameron Chweu, jersey number 10, found the back of the net in an elegant show-me-your-number, thereby sealing UJ’s fate in the match.

Leading from the front, Sandile Mbatha – NWU varsity football team captain and jersey number 12 – scored a scorching third and final goal for the night, delivering the all-needed win for the NWU in this leg of the tournament.

“The team is aware of what is at stake this far into the competition,” said NWU coach Amos Xabanisa in the wake of NWU’s stunning upset against UJ. “But above all else, we are not motivated by anything other than the unconditional love our supporters have shown and continue to show us in every victory and loss we have experienced. We are never alone. We cry on the shoulders of true of supporters and it’s only fitting that when we celebrate, we stand tall on their shoulders and make them proud.”

The NWU’s varsity football team muzzled their critics and converted the unconverted in their determination to being the best football team and possibly this year’s Varsity Football champions.