by Nqobile Dludla | Mar 4, 2015 | Sport
The Clever Boys snatch second place on the log after a 1-0 victory over the Brazilians at home last night.
DOWN TO THIRD PLACE: Mamelodi Sundowns dropped to third place with 37 points on the table while Sibusiso Vilakazi’s 1-0 lead moved Bidvest Wits up to second place with 40 points. Photo: Nqobile Dludla
A second half victory goal from Sibusiso Vilakazi ended the defending champions Mamelodi Sundown’s 15 game unbeaten run in the league at the Bidvest Stadium on Tuesday night.
The hosts moved up to second place with 40 points, while Sundowns dropped to third place with 37 points.
Sundowns’ coach Pitso Mosimane who was disappointed stressed that it was “a difficult game” as his men pushed hard against The Clever Boy’s defensive wall.
“We all want to win but tonight was not the night. Malajila could have stole it there but that did not happen . When the ball hits the post in the last minute and doesn’t go in, you just know that it’s not your night but you have to accept defeat”, said Mosimane.
The Clever Boys came out guns blazing with the first chance coming from Vilakazi at the far post, his chance was missed though as his attempt landed in the hands of goalkeeper Dennis Onyango in the first 2 minutes of the game.
Earning a chance from a set-piece, Jabulani Shongwe’s over the post shot hindered a lead from The Clever Boys who dominated with ball possession in the opening minutes .
The Brazilians finally made a run past the center line after three minutes into the game with Khama Billiat sneaking a pass to the fast paced Cuthbert Malajila who threatened to net one, but Thulani Hlatshwayo quickly stopped The Brazilians.
In the 19th minute Billiat tried for another chance which went straight to Moenneb Josephs.
A promising free kick from Teko Modise after he was tripped by Phumlani Ntshangase failed to materialize as Bidvest Wits applied pressure at the back.
The hopeful Kees Kwakman had a brilliant opportunity to send The Clever Boys into a lead in the 40th minute as he sent a potential lead goal straight over the goal post from inside the box, leaving Bidvest Wits fans shaking their heads in disappointment.
Gavin Hunt’s men won the tactical battle in the first half, but for all their dominance in the first half they still had no goals to show.
Sundowns came back from half time with a slight change of attitude as they bravely tried to keep their place as runners up on the log, but a duel attack by Bidvest Wits players Henrico Botes and Faty inside the box sent Onyango and Ramahlwe Phahlele on the ground.
Winning a second set-piece, Sundowns Modise sent his shot well over the top from a good position following a desperate scramble from The Clever Boys defence.
Hunt’s men finally proved their dominance when Nhlapo passed a straight shot to Vilakazi who dribbled past the sliding Mphahlele and netted a lead goal.
Shongwe threatened to give The Clever boys another goal when his attempt was shot wide after receiving a pass from Vilakazi.
Sundowns nearly equalized the score when Malajila’s golden opportunity hit the right goal post.
With under two minutes to go, the Brazilians pushed hard to equalize, but as the minutes died out it was clear that Mosimane’s men will be forced to give way to Bidvest Wits as they collected three points with their victory.
by Lutho Mtongana | Mar 2, 2015 | Sport
BATSMAN: JC Maritz, Croxley Wits Cricket Club batsman. He managed to bat 111 runs before he was bowled out yesterday. Photo: Lutho Mtongana
After bowling out Roshnee Cricket Club who only managed 96 runs in the first innings, Croxley Wits showed their dominance despite playing in difficult weather conditions at home yesterday.
The second innings was just as easy for Wits who piled on the runs and declared at 250-5 with a lead of 154 runs.
“I think we executed our plans today. The plan was to bowl them out early and then bat once, declare and then bowl again, so we’re on track for that,” said Wits captain Joshua Datnow.
The batting partnership of JC Maritz and Rob Hendricks gave Wits a solid start with 157 runs with a wicket down.
Maritz was one of the leading batsmen of the day and was bowled out after he managed 111 runs.
Maqsood Saley, Roshnee score-keeper, said his team had lost a number of players during off season last year and had not had enough time to practice with the remaining guys in the team.
“We have weaknesses in both the batting and the bowling, the bowling is alright but the batting is too bad … Fielding is also bad, we dropped a lot of catches. I just think that Wits is the better team,” Saley added.
Wits declared after five wickets, leaving Roshnee to chase 157 to win. The bad light and poor interruptions only seem to weaken the Roshnee side who finished on 42-4 by 6pm.
The Cricket Premier League is played in a timely format with two innings in a day. On Saturday Wits Cricket played Crescents in Lenasia which resulted in a draw.
Wits’ next game is away against its biggest competitor Dobsonville.
by Lutho Mtongana | Feb 27, 2015 | Sport
Tendai Dube and Lutho Mtongana
The Wits Varsity Shield team is back with a competitive bang, sitting top of the log with three wins and a draw in their first four matches of the season.
FNB Wits has been unstoppable since the season kicked off a month ago and this week was no different when the boys drew 37-all against the University of the Western Cape (UWC) at home.
Wits captain and flank Richard Crossman said the team has been fortunate in getting this far in the Cup.
“It’s been a huge transformation, we have a whole bunch of new guys, new management, and they are all fresh from matric. We only have two or three senior guys,” said Crossman.
Although they are currently leading the log, the team still have to work hard to stay ahead of the game and, according to Crossman, are training intensely.
“Our weaknesses is that we are young and inexperienced but that could also be our strength because our guys are young and are willing to learn,” Crossman said.
In their first game of the year the Wits boys went head-to-head against a normally challenging Fort Hare, and defeated them with a solid 39-24 win.
They then proceeded to squash the TUT Vikings with 71-36 in their next match on February 19.
CROSSING THE LINE: Richard Crossman, Wits Rugby Captain, flank Photo: Tendai Dube
On March 9 Wits will be playing against Fort Hare on the Wits Rugby Field and Crossman is determine that they will come out on top once again with their home ground advantage.
There are five teams in the Varsity Shield this year: UWC, Wits, Fort Hare, University of KwaZulu-Natal (UKZN) and the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT). Wits needs to finish at the top of the log at the end of the season to secure a chance to move back into the Varsity Cup.
by Ilanit Chernick | Feb 27, 2015 | Sport
WORK IT: First year BSc student Neo Khokhone stretches her work out
partner during bootcamp. Photo: Ilanit Chernick
Wits SRC campus wellness officer Jamie Mighti has challenged Witsies to “get fit” with the SRC’s fitness campaign.
The campaign, which launched on Monday in conjunction with Virgin Active aims to combat obesity and unhealthy lifestyles amongst students, and features a three-week fitness progam.
“We are trying to save lives and create long term longevity of Witsies,” Mighti said.
He encouraged Witsies to join the three-week exercise program as a way of enriching their lives and to create discipline.
“Gyming consistently creates a discipline that will trickle down into both your academic and social life,” he said.
Mighti told Wits Vuvuzela that students are careless about their health and fitness.
“It’s in our twenties when we mold our bodies. We pick up bad habits like smoking, drinking and reckless sex which can affect us for the rest of our lives.”
Mighti encouraged all students both fit and unfit to join because “something is better than nothing”.
“So far we’ve seen around 50 students attend the fitness training but we want to push this to at least 300 students.”
“It’s in our twenties when we mold our bodies. We pick up bad habits like smoking, drinking and reckless sex which can affect us for the rest of our lives.”
His vision together with the SRC is to see Wits becoming the “healthiest university in the world.”
Promoting healthy eating and engagement with physical, emotional and social wellness are on the agenda for this year.
“Wellness is going to be a massive criteria for the university. We want happy and healthy students on our campus.”
Mighti is also working on a “shared bicycle” initiative, which sees students being able to ride bikes around campus to different lecture halls especially when they are far from each other.
By the beginning of the second quarter, Mighti hopes that there will be at least 50 bikes on campus available for students to share-ride and use around campus.
Healthy eating on campus is also a major concern for Mighti. “We need to create a conscious awareness about healthy food especially at the vendors and the food halls at residence.”
“The university hasn’t been serious about health issues and it is time they walk-the-walk. They must take initiatives to improve health on our campus,” he said.
The fitness program will be taking place for the next two weeks on Monday and Friday from 6.30 am to 7.30 am on the Library Lawns.
by Nqobile Dludla | Feb 23, 2015 | Sport
THE TIME IS NOW: Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt during an interview with local broadcasters ahead of the team’s first leg CAF Confederations Cup clash with the Royal Leopards. Photo: Nqobile Dludla
Loyal Bidvest Wits fans will now get exclusive behind-the-scenes interviews and news when Bidvest Wits Football Club premiers its own show next month.
The magazine-styled show, called ‘Bidvest Wits TV’, will kick off on March 12 on SuperSport 4 (channel 204).
Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela, Bidvest Wits marketing manager Danielle van der Merwe said this is a project that the club has “been working on for a while now”.
“In the modern world your support base extends far beyond the community that you claim and play in, and in a professional sporting environment you need to give good exposure to your sponsors as well,” said van der Merwe. “So the two fit in nicely together. So essentially what the TV show will be is a window into this football club.”
While it has taken many years for the team to join other football clubs who have turned to creating their television shows, Van der Merwe explained that launching the show now has to do with “the growth of the club at the right pace”.
“I think that football clubs need to focus on football first. It’s all very well spending money, and have no doubt that this will cost us money to produce, but you have to do things in the right order for your business and that’s why for our business the time is now.”
The club has grown in strength over the last few seasons, finishing third last year and fourth in the Premier Soccer League (PSL) the year before.
What fans can expect to see
The 30 minute-long TV show will be aired every second Thursday monthly. The show go beyond match highlights and will showcase exclusive video footage of the Bidvest Wits players, updates and information on the academy and management and behind the scenes footage.
“Video and visual side of media is becoming content that people want … So a lot of people will get to see what we do behind our doors,” said van de Merwe.
by Ilanit Chernick | Feb 20, 2015 | Sport
READY TO SCORE: Vice-Chair of the Wits Netball Club chats about the teams readiness for the new season. Photo: Ilanit Chernick
Despite not yet having a coach, the Wits Netball Club is positive about the upcoming Netball season.
Vice Chairperson of Wits Netball club, Ofentse Moropa told Wits Vuvuzela they were looking forward to a busy season with the University Sports South Africa (USSA) netball league taking place over the next few months.
“The only thing we are struggling with at the moment is finding a new coach,” she said, “Our old coach was selected as the assistant coach on the SA national side so it’s left us in a tight spot. We’re sad she’s left.”
Moropa said they have been searching for a coach “who best fits the team” and is confident they will find one soon. “It’s hard to replace her though, she was like our mom.”
The team met on Monday evening and have decided to start training while finding a new coach.
Opponents
Last year the team won the silver medal in the B section of the USSA league. The team hopes to win this year’s league and eventually make it to the A section in the near future.
“Our biggest opposition is the University of Limpopo … Their game is more mental than physical and we have to prepare ourselves not just physically but mentally too,” She said.
Wits Netball was narrowly beaten by the University of Limpopo during their final match of the USSA league but they are determined to change that this year.
“It was a tight match. We worked as a team and would not back down. We rely on each other and we will always do so.”
Team time
As a team, they enjoy spending time together and their favourite thing to do as a team is “eat”.
“If you want to make friends, push yourself or just want to become a better person, Netball will give you this.”
“We love eating! We love our food! We usually have KFC… If we’re not playing we’re eating,” Moropa said as she laughed.
The Wits Netball Club usually gets around a 100 sign-ups every year and has encouraged students to keep this trend going as they head into 2015.
“If you want to make friends, push yourself or just want to become a better person, Netball will give you this. It teaches you discipline but also lets you have fun. It’s a lot like life,” she said.
Netball training is every Monday, Wednesday and Thursday from 6pm to 8pm at the Dig Fields. All students are welcome.
by Lutho Mtongana | Feb 16, 2015 | Sport
THE PRESSURE: Nono Pongolo, captain for first team cricket after his dismissal. Photo: Lutho Mtongana
The Croxley Wits Cricket Club beat out the Vaal University of Technology (VUT) yesterday in a time-limited format that lasted 9 hours.
Both teams were expected to bat twice but Wits only took to the pitch once after bowling out VUT in both innings.
While Wits emerged victorious their win was not easy with VUT putting up a strong bowling performance. The Wits wickets tumbled after they lost their batting partnership of player-coach Neil Levenson and JC Maritz. VUT put pressure on Wits on the first innings but Wits managed to win the innings with just one wicket. In the second innings Wits bowled out VUT on 48, winning to the match by 112.
“VUT is struggling a bit, it has lost quite a few players because a lot [of players] moved to another university so it’s been quite tough for them”, Levenson said.
VUT coach Orkie Engelbrecht said his team’s biggest competitor in the league is Wits and he knew this was not going to be an easy game for them.
“The highlight of the game is the discipline in bowling on both sides … Wits is doing very well with the catchers”, Engelbrecht told Wits Vuvuzela.
Nono Pongolo, first team captain for Wits, said they had the best bowling team in the league even though their batting still needed some work.
“Our batting is still coming together because we’re still quite a youngish team. There are 18 and 19-year-old players in our team … So there’s a lot of learning but also we’re trying to win the game so it’s not easy,” he added.
Wits will face Dobsonville, their toughest competitor in the league, in two week’s time.
Croxley Wits Cricket Club have played five games since the league started, winning three with six more games to play.
by Nqobile Dludla | Feb 15, 2015 | Sport
PLAYER OF THE FUTURE: Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt praised the performance of Markus Lecki, one of the new signings for the team. Photo: Nqobile Dludla.
Bidvest Wits coach Gavin Hunt was full of praise for his newly signed players after The Clever Boys tamed Swaziland’s Royal Leopards in the CAF Confederations Cup first leg at the Bidvest Stadium on Saturday.
The game, which saw Wits win 3-0, was led by the young debutants while the big names like Sibusiso Vilakazi, Onismor Bhasera, Fatty Papy, Thulani Hlatshwayo and Moeneeb Josephs were rested in the stands.
Markus Lecki who formed a strong wall of defence at the back alongside Tebogo Moerane, lived up to Hunt’s predictions as “a player of the future.”
“Markus Lecki was fantastic at the back and certainly very good. He is quick at passing balls, very calm, good in the air, can play at the back, reads the ball well”, said Hunt.
Hunt strongly believes that letting the youngsters lead in the Caf Confederations Cup will train them for the next season when he signs all of them.
“We want to sign them up for next season. We need to play them in this competitive level. When we play [Moroka] Swallows next week Tuesday, we’ll approach them as we did today. Play more kids, play more of them and put them in an environment that’s going to be hostile. So let’s see who has the guts and the makings of a player”, said Hunt.
Unleashing a 3-0 win
The start of the game in Johannesburg saw both sides come out guns blazing, with Ngcobo threatening, but failing, to head a lead goal in the opening minutes.
In the 40th- minute, Ngcobo came in again with a long shot from Christopher Katongo’s cross but instead went over the goal post frustrating the players.
A hopeful Royal Leopards’ Sikhumbuzo Ntimane tried to frustrate The Clever Boys even more when he tried to net in a lead but his attempt met the hands of Wits’ goalkeeper Boafela Pule.
A minute before the half-time whistle though, Ben Motshwari put The Clever Boys into the lead with a brilliantly executed strike.
Redeeming himself, Ngcobo fired in a header from Tebogo Moerane who dribbled past the fast paced Royal Leopards.
Vincent Pule’s persistence was evident in the second half where he tried to penetrate Royal Leopards’ wall, but his shot went wide of the target. A second chance came in the 66th minute when Shameegh Doutie had the opportunity to put The Clever Boys in a 3:0 lead but his attempt met the hands of Mphikeleli Dlamini.
In the 78th minute, The Clever Boys took full advantage of their front line, with Ngcobo firing home Nyembezi Setelele’s cross for his second Bidvest Wits goal of the night, leaving the final score at 3-0.
Despite the competitiveness of Swaziland’s Royal Leopards, coach Sifiso Ntibane said his team “knew that they [Bidvest Wits] were going to put more goals in the box.”
“My boys tried. We were frustrating Wits in the first half, except in the last 30 seconds when they got a chance outside the box. All in all my boys were competing. They were there. That second goal my defender went out of the field and had a lump on his head and that’s when they got the space to get that second goal”, said Ntibane.
by Ilanit Chernick | Feb 13, 2015 | Sport
OUR BOYS: Members of the Wits Cricket Club taking a breather to enjoy some team time together. Photo: Ilanit Chernick
The Wits Cricket Club has started 2015 with a bang. The Varsity Premier league is in full swing with Wits currently in second position.
Wits finished third overall in last year’s Premier League.
With four Wits teams playing in a number of different leagues, Presidents cricket squad captain and premier league spin bowler Joshua Datnow said: “There is a lot of cricket to go round.”
“We have a lot of youngsters in first year who we are developing. Our goal for this year to become an A division team in the Premier League,” he said.
Datnow said the team are inspired to play for “the Kudu Heart badge” and their aim is to make the university proud.
“Our game performance stems from the pride we have for our university.”
“Our game performance stems from the pride we have for our university. We play for each other and to bring pride to our university.”
With three games being played every weekend until April, Datnow said the team does face its challenges and tough opposition.
“There are some brilliant players on our opponents’ teams.
Opponents like the Caxton Khosas or Randfontein have Strikers playing on their team so when we play them we try make sure to be in top form.”
The team also undergoes regular group therapy sessions to help them deal with the pressure of the game.
“We’re being taught relaxation techniques and guided processes to help us deal with any difficulties that may arise during matches.”
In their free time the teams also enjoy tenpin bowling, going out for dinner together and recently went to the Wits Sports Party together.
“Bonding time is important so that our team gels well,” Datnow said.
“It’s the dream for all of us playing to be able to make it big. You just have to work hard and play even harder,” he said.
The team will be heading on tour to Limpopo later this year and they will also be playing a number of three-day games.
Matches will be taking place for the next seven weeks every Saturday and Sunday from 9.15am at the Walter Milton Oval on East Campus.
ilanit@witsvuvuzela.com
by Nqobile Dludla | Feb 9, 2015 | Sport
MY TURN: First years patiently wait for their turn to get their posters signed by Bidvest Wits player Christopher Katongo. Photo: Nqobile Dludla
First years talked non-stop about finally meeting their favourite Bidvest Wits players on Sunday at the orientation week welcome day friendly match between the Clever Boys and the Wits Football Club.
First-year Sonwabile Nzeke from Klerksdorp couldn’t believe that he finally got to meet the Bidvest Wits team in person.
“Yoh I’m not even going to wash my body today because my favourite Bidvest Wits players signed my arm. I even stole a few signed posters [of the squad]”
“The level of facilities were impressive because we come from rural towns where there is hardly anything. From the sport facility, to how the players played,” said Nzeke.
His newly-found friend, Lesiba Phahladira, was also in awe as it was his first time ever at a stadium.
“The match was quite entertaining because this was my first time at the stadium for a live match. My favourite Bidvest Wits player is Rowen Fernandez. When he signed [my hand] I felt like calling my mom and say ‘Fernandez touched my hand’. It was so great,” said Phahladira.
The emotional Ramathaba Masipa Bidvest Wits said he “almost cried” when he saw Moeneeb Josephs who is widely known as ‘Slim Kat’.
“Yoh I’m not even going to wash my body today because my favourite Bidvest Wits players signed my arm”
“From a very young age I’ve always been a supporter. It was great seeing them, I even got an autograph and took pictures with Katongo, Slim Kat. Yoh, I almost cried I was emotional. I’ve always wanted to meet Slim Kat in person and he was so friendly. On the pitch he is normally crazy so I expected him to be mean,” said Masipa.
Conflicted in which team to support, the stadium shock nonetheless in excitement when Yusuf Jappie’s only winning goal sent Bidvest Wits into a lead just before half time.
“It was a good game. The university played very well to be honest. Good on the ball, good technically. We have a lot of young players coming through so this is a perfect opportunity to look at them and see at what they can do and these are the games that give us that indication. We’ll continue to groom but individually they are talented and that’s important for us,” said assistant coach Andre Arendse.
by Percy Matshoba | Sep 19, 2014 | Sport
KICKER: The General, Sibusiso Vilakazi is not so relaxed about making it to the top.
Photo: Luca Kotton
Sibusiso Vilakazi started playing soccer at the age of 11. At 24, the captain of Bidvest Wits is the newest member of Bafana Bafana and has dreams of playing internationally in the near future.
Vilakazi started his career playing street soccer in Meadowlands, Soweto and was later signed by local team, Meadowlands Chelsea, as a goalkeeper.
The current midfielder of both the national team and the Clever Boys made his (PSL) Premier Soccer League debut in 2009 when he joined Bidvest Wits juniors and Bidboys. He says it has always been his dream to play for an overseas professional team.
Vilakazi tried out several times for Danish club Brondby FC in the past two years with a deal falling through at the last minute each time.
“I have experienced setbacks but everything happens for a reason. I have faith that it will happen someday,” he said.
The soccer star is however making strides locally having been tirelessly pursued by the Glamour Boys, Kaizer Chiefs, this past transfer window.
Nicknamed “General” by his fans, Vilakazi was called up to the national team in October 2013 and nearly a year later says he still gets excited to represent his country. “Every time I go play for the team I get very excited,” he says.
Speaking to Wits Vuvuzela in his number 10 Wits jersey, Vilakazi says he prefers to spend his spare time with his family in Meadowlands.
“I am a family man,” he says but adds that he occasionally has a few drinks with his friends.
‘Vila’, as most of his Wits teammates call him, says he makes it his priority to build solid friendships with the players. “We need to have that relationship as a team,” says Vilakazi.
As for his pre-match routines, Vilakazi takes a relaxed approach. “I sit on my bed for hours, with the TV on and think about the game,” he says.
And for the question his female fans most want the answer to: Vilakazi says he currently doesn’t have a girlfriend but appreciates the adoration he has been getting from his devoted supporters.
by Lameez Omarjee | Sep 19, 2014 | Sport
HECTIC HEADER: During soccer practice at Diggs fields on Tuesday, Wits team captain Tebogo Digoamaje said he is confident in his team’s performance for their upcoming semi-final match against Tuks in the USSA Gauteng League, where a top three spot will get them to nationals.
Photo: Lameez Omarjee
If the Wits men’s soccer team beat Tuks, Pretoria University’s log leaders, next week, it will go through to the national finals of the University Sports South Africa (USSA) tournament in December.
Through this possible win at next week Tuesday’s match, Wits would attain one of the top three positions in the Gauteng USSA League and would then qualify for the national tournament to be held in Durban, in the first week of December.
Meeting for the second time with their opponents, Wits University football coach Karabo Mogudi said his men were more than prepared for Tuks.
Cruising through competition
“They are good football players; they play high intensity football which is a strong point for them. I’ve prepared the team to play the same as well. They must bring it on because we know we [are] going to bring it too,” said Mogudi.
Wits thrashed Tuks with a 3-1 win the last time there was a face-off between the two in August. Mogudi is confident his team could win against them again, even though the match is in Pretoria, on their rival’s home turf when they duel on Tuesday, September 23.
The rankings so far are as follows: Tuks first, Vaal University of Technology (VUT) second, Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) third and Wits, in fourth place.
Attaining a position in the top eight of the USSA national champs will then qualify Wits for the Varsity Football league. They did not qualify last year.
“The team should be the star. I don’t want individualism … if the team wins, the players shine. It’s that simple”
Wits team captain Tebogo Digoamaje, 2nd year BSc Property Studies, who joined the team last year felt that their performance this season was better because the squad was bigger. About 25 players are registered for the USSA Gauteng League. Last year the smaller team battled without squad rotations between games.
Digoamaje revealed that past lost matches were due to mistakes they had made, rather than their opponent’s performance.
Unshakable confidence
However, he had “full respect for every opponent” they played against. In preparation for their game against Tuks, he said, “We’ve implemented a number of strategies, various ones, and the coach will decide which will lead us to victory and get us to nationals.”
Left wing Neo Makua, 3rd year BSc Quantity Surveying, felt confident that the team will go through to national championships. “The coach made us become a team, so we put the team before the individual.”
Although there are strong individuals playing, Mogudi emphasised team play rather than individual stars. “The team should be the star. I don’t want individualism … if the team wins, the players shine. It’s that simple,” he said.
Mogudi is confident in the team’s tactics and credits his technical team, which consists: assistant coach Dumisani Thusi, goal-keeper coach Kgabo Ditsebe and team manager, Sanele Nene for developing new ideas and strategies for success.
RELATED ARTICLES:
