SOCCER: Clinton Asary
WITH educational facilities around the country in the news as they fight for transformation, Wits University, at the forefront of the struggle, will be pleased to know that it’s soccer side has completed the process with unqualified success.
On Saturday the “new” Wits face their first real challenge when they meet Kaizer Chiefs, the undisputed kings of South African cup football in the 24th BP Top 8 final at FNB stadium.
>From being a boring, negative, predictable outfit, the “Clever Boys” have now adopted a more direct, adventurous approach that is sure to see the crowds streaming through the Milpark turnstiles this season.
Previously they used to joke that the cruellest form of punishment to mete out to any misbehaving soccer fan would be to force the perpetrator to watch one of Wits’ games, but thats all changed now.
Going into cup games as underdogs has become part of life for Wits, and on Saturday they face the same scenario, although Wits coach John Lathan does not think so. “I don’t believe we are underdogs, I think we have an even chance of winning,” he said, as Wits bid to win only their second Top 8 title, compared to Chiefs’ 11.
But Wits can claim consolation in the fact that over the years they have become somewhat of a “hoodoo” team over defending champions Chiefs, who, in the past two years, have won only one trophy.
This, however, is of no consequence as far as Chiefs PRO Louis Tshakoane is concerned. “This is 1995, a new South Africa a new Chiefs, with a different style. We are playing ‘shoeshine’ and ‘piano’, mixed with mathematical principles. Wits won’t understand that.”
Due to having three players in the U23 national squad, Wits have not played since their semifinal victory over Orlando Pirates two weeks ago.
Chiefs, on the other hand, have had two games, winning both, and scoring six goals and conceding only one in the process. “We are playing too well,” said Tshakoane, “Pity Wits, they will be minimised and factorised by technical students on Saturday.”
“Amakhosi” striker Fortune Koloba has scored five goals in as many games, and is expected to spearhead the attack alongside the diminutive Thabang Lebese, who has also been finding the net with increasing regularity.
Over the years the Wits defence has always been their strength, though they tend to lose concentration at times which usually leads to them conceding goals, something Peter Gordon and company will have to guard
Veteran Gordon is still going strong, and proved his worth in the semifinal against Pirates when he came perilously close to scoring, after beating Mark Fish with a turn that would have made Romario proud.
Boasting seven players in the U17 and U23 national sides bears testimony to Wit’s successful youth policy and tomorrow Wits’ title hopes hinge on the form of players like Bradley Carnell, Jethro Mohlala, Paul Evans (hero in victory over Pirates) and Clint Sephadi.
Mohlala, especially, impressed with his “hatchet job” on Pirates striker Jerry Skhosana and is expected to be given the same assignment on either Koloba, Lebese or even Doctor Khumalo.
One worry that Lathan and his assistant Scara Thindwa could have is that their young side might suffer from stage fright on the day, “It’s in the back of my mind,” he said, and added that his charges showed Pirates too much respect in their game two weeks ago.
Chiefs were far from convincing in their semifinal victory over Umtata Bucks, and on occasions looked to lack ideas against the men from Umtata.
Like Julius Ceaser some years back, Chiefs would be well advsied to “Beware the ides of March.”