The North-West University (NWU) is gearing up to face the University of the Western Cape (UWC) in Cape Town on 1 August, following a 3-1 loss to the University of the Free State (UFS) in their first Varsity Football game.

Coach Nkululeko Malgas acknowledges the challenges ahead but emphasises the need to bounce back to stay in contention for the 2024 Varsity Football title.

"Playing in Cape Town against UWC will not be easy. Besides the logistical challenges such as the weather and a two-hour flight, UWC drew their opening match against defending champions Tshwane University of Technology (TUT), adding to the difficulty of the upcoming game. However, despite these obstacles, we have been diligently analysing UWC’s previous match to prepare,” says coach Malgas.

He highlights the importance of addressing the mistakes made in their first game without disrupting team communication.

"It's a process we're going through. We need to be mindful not to break the communication from the back by rushing to make changes."

This cautious approach aims to rectify errors while maintaining team cohesion.

Coach Malgas also notes the distinct challenges faced by the defense. "It's more difficult for the defense to bounce back from mistakes, unlike the frontline when they miss chances to score." This underlines the critical role of defensive solidity in their strategy against UWC.

The upcoming match is a crucial test for the NWU as they seek to recover from their opening loss and to assert themselves as contenders in the Varsity Football tournament. With careful preparation and a focus on correcting past mistakes, the NWU’s purple army aims to deliver a stronger performance in Cape Town.

The NWU took on the UFS in their first Varsity Football match.