A clear 4-1 defeat marks the Witsies’ triumphant return.
Wits opened the Varsity Football tournament with a commanding win, dominating possession and creating multiple scoring chances.
The team’s performance was marked by strong teamwork, sharp tactics, and clinical finishing.
This result sends a clear message that Wits is a serious contender aiming for the tournament title this season.
A statement was made by Wits University’s Educated Footballers, who announced their comeback with four goals to Central University of Technology’s one on home turf on August 7, 2025.
Wits Football Club players celebrating after another ball finds the back of the net. Photo: Supplied/Thando Jafta
Goal scorers included Mxolisi Mthiya, Sifiso Mlondo and Tebogo Masemola, who walked away with R1000 for his goal rush award, the opening goal that set the standard for the rest of the match.
Captain, Kgwadi Molepo, a postgraduate Property Studies student, walked away with the Player of the Match title after leading the team to its first victory.
Thanduxolo Zulu, who was appointed last year as head coach for the Wits Football team said, “I do not have any personal objectives as I put myself behind the team, I want what is best for them and best for them is being in the tournament and excelling.”
He added, “I was impressed by the second half, the intensity and in terms of the intention behind everything that we did that led to more goals.” Wits Football set the standard for what promises to be a competitive Varsity Football tournament. The match showcased the pace, skill, and strength that define the competition.
Kgwadi Molepo, Wits Football captain, walked away with the Player of the Match Award. Photo: Lindelwa Khanyile
A glimpse of the high-quality football still to come as the tournament unfolds over eight weeks between August to October, 2025.
“I’m excited and proud to be captain of this institution, definitely one game at a time with a new coach, new technical team it’s a change and starting on a clean slate for Wits,” said Molepo.
“As a first-year attending the tournament for the first time, I’m beyond impressed with the squad and I believe that we can win it ’’ said spectator, Amanda Hlatshwayo.
Zulu said this game was a set tone for the rest of the tournament, with fans showing up despite cold and wet weather conditions, which really fueled the team throughout the match.
The last time Wits Football reached the finals was in 2018, Molepo says this new generation of players is determined to win hopefully break records.
The Educated Footballers are set to play another home game against Durban University of Technology next week at 17:00 on SuperSport
FEATURE IMAGE: The Goal Rush award winner, Tebogo Masemola. Photo: Lindelwa Khanyile.
The new season will see the university’s internal football league split into an internal and external league.
Wits Internal Football League (WIFL) teams have been working hard in training, in preparation for the return of the league.
On Tuesday, March 28, Miners FC, Marshall FC and New Generation FC could be observed doing drills with cones, practising shooting and ball rotations at the Wits Digz Field. The teams could also be seen practicing their different styles of play.
According to the Wits Sports website, the WIFL is “the oldest and largest student football league at higher education level, presently made up of 48 teams formed by societies, faculties, residences and friends”.
The 2023 season commences during the week of April 17, according to Wits Sports officer for football, Montsho Matlala, who said they aimed to revitalise the league. In the new season, teams from outside the university will play in an external league, while the internal league will be for Wits teams.
“We want to see quality football in the internal league. We want to see more Wits students participating in the league,” said Matlala.
Coach of Miners FC, Thulasizwe “Thulas” Hadebe, said that even though they were aiming for the top spot in the new season, “We are taking it one step at a time.” Captain Karabo “Gattuso” Mushiyana said that he had confidence in his teammates, and loved the commitment and dedication they were showing. “I believe there is great potential in the team,” he said.
Miners FC players during a training session at the Wits Digz Fields on March 28, 2023. Photo: Ndumiso Nkosi
However, according to Miners FC player Kamogelo Phasha, some players are not coming back to play in the internal league because they are discouraged due to the lack of progress in the league.
Hadebe said that the university should be investing more in the internal league because that is where they are supposed to be harvesting players for the Wits men’s senior football team. Mushiyana added that “It is embarrassing for Wits to not qualify for [Varsity Football, the South African university association football competition] when there is so much talent in the internal league.”
Marshall FC captain Gift Mthethwa urged the university to allocate funds to Wits Sports to facilitate a better-run internal league.
Matlala told Wits Vuvuzela that referee payments, training spaces, and the difficulty to conclude the league in time were some of the challenges of the league in 2022, but assured teams that they were making all the necessary planning to mitigate such challenges this season.
His message to the internal league teams ahead of the new season is that: “I hope they play good football. I hope players raise their hands to be selected for the Wits men’s senior football team.”
FEATURED IMAGE: Miners FC is aiming for the top spot in the new season. Photo: Ndumiso Nkosi
Witsies efforts to be at the top of the ABC Motsepe League shattered, after a dismal loss this past weekend.
Wits University football club has lost 4-1 in a match against Soweto Super United (SSUtd) at Sturrock Park in Braamfontein.
The two last faced off on October 15, 2022, in a tough match at Trezona Park, Roodepoort, where the final score was a draw of 2-2.
Wits football player Nathi fights off Soweto Super United players in the ABC Motsepe league match at Sturrock Park on April 1. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
Currently sitting in the 10th position on the Gauteng ABC Motsepe league, Witsies’ hopes of securing a place in the top eight became dimmer in the first half, after conceding three goals from SSUtd players, Benjamin Thando, Thabang Chuene and Lebogang Sentsho, respectively.
In attempts to counter the stronger rivals, Wits defensive player Bradley Mongwe sustained an injury and had to be substituted before the end of the first half.
However, going into the second half, the Witsies seemed to be in control of the match in the first few minutes, but were later humbled by SSUtd striker, Walker Jacko, who scored a fourth goal in the 86th minute.
Midfielder, Saluleko Mathonsi managed to net in the first goal for Wits university at exactly 90+2 minutes, just before the whistle blew.
The league consists of 19 teams and the top eight are awarded cash prizes. The ultimate winners get around R50 000, and the prize money goes down from position one to eight. The team that takes the eighth position gets R15 000.
The Wits players went into the match with 45 points, whilst SSUtd was sitting with 59. Separated by 14 points, the Witsies could not secure a victory, or equalize in score to lessen the gap.
With the season coming to an end on May 1, 2023, the loss means the Witsies will not be able to secure the runner up position even if they win the next five matches.
When asked about the performance after the match, Mathonsi said, “to be honest we started off very badly, in the first 10 to 15 minutes we were not in control of the match, and we were punished for that”.
Wits university will be playing Pretoria Ally’s Tigers on Wednesday, April 5, at Philip stadium, Soshanguve. Pretoria Ally’s Tigers beat the Witsies by 1-0 the last time they met at Sturrock Park in December 10, 2022.
The Wits assistant coach Andile Zulu expressed his disappointment on the team’s performance; but said his very hopeful that they will execute better in their next match.
FEATURED IMAGE: Soweto Super United players walking off the Sturrock Park field after their 4-1 victory against Wits univerity football club. Photo: Sfundo Parakozov
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