The 2014 Varsity Football challenge is the second season of a South African university association football competition. It involves some of the top football playing universities in the country, which belong to the University Sports Company. The tournament is run by Varsity Sports SA, and is endorsed by the South African Football Association and University Sport South Africa.[1]
| Season | 2014 |
|---|---|
| Champions | UP-Tuks (2nd Title) |
| Matches played | 31 |
| Biggest home win | 6-0 (NWU vs UCT), (UJ vs UCT) |
| Biggest away win | 4-0 (UJ vs Tuks), (NMMU vs UFS) |
| Highest scoring | 5-1 (Tuks vs UL), 6-0 (NWU vs UCT), (UJ vs UCT), 3-3 (UCT vs UWC) |
| Longest unbeaten run | UJ (8 games) |
History
editThe Varsity Cup tournament was founded in 2008, featuring the rugby teams of eight universities. Varsity Sports was expanded in 2012 to include other sporting codes.[2] University Sport South Africa discussed the Varsity Football proposal at its 2012 annual general meeting. The idea was initially rejected, as it was seen to split the member institutions.[3] However, it was later accepted, and 2013 was the inaugural season of Varsity Football, with an 8 team men's tournament.[4] A four team women's tournament is also being played.[5]
Participating teams
edit
Blue: Men's teams only; 
Red: Women's teams only; 
Green: Men's and Women's teams.
The eight teams competing in the men's Varsity Football challenge are:
| Varsity Football Challenge | ||
| Team Name | University | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| NMMU Madibaz | Nelson Mandela Metropolitan University | NMMU Stadium |
| NWU Mafikeng | North-West University | Mafikeng Sports Fields |
| UCT Ikeys | University of Cape Town | The Green Mile |
| UFS Kovsies | University of the Free State | Shimla Park |
| UJ | University of Johannesburg | AW Muller Stadium UJ Soweto Campus Sport Complex |
| Limpopo | University of Limpopo | Oscar Mphetha Stadium1 |
| UP-Tuks | University of Pretoria | Tuks Stadium |
| UWC | University of the Western Cape | UWC Sport Stadium |
The four teams competing in the men's Varsity Football challenge are:
| Varsity Football Challenge | ||
| Team Name | University | Stadium |
|---|---|---|
| UJ | University of Johannesburg | AW Muller Stadium |
| UP-Tuks | University of Pretoria | Tuks Stadium |
| TUT | Tshwane University of Technology | TUT Stadium |
| UWC | University of the Western Cape | UWC Sport Stadium |
- 1 The University of Limpopo was unable to host any matches at Oscar Mphetha Stadium, as the stadium did not meet league standards. As such, the team played all of their matches away.
Qualification
editQualification was based on the 2013 University Sports South Africa National Club Championships. In order to qualify, men's teams need to be one of the eight highest placed teams associated with Varsity Sports.
Standings
edit| Pos | Team | Pld | W | D | L | GF | GA | GD | Pts |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | UJ | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 19 | 6 | +13 | 13 |
| 2 | NWU | 7 | 3 | 4 | 0 | 16 | 8 | +8 | 13 |
| 3 | Tuks | 7 | 4 | 1 | 2 | 15 | 10 | +5 | 13 |
| 4 | UFS | 7 | 3 | 2 | 2 | 9 | 9 | 0 | 11 |
| 5 | NMMU | 7 | 3 | 1 | 3 | 12 | 12 | 0 | 10 |
| 6 | UWC | 7 | 2 | 3 | 2 | 11 | 11 | 0 | 9 |
| 7 | UL | 7 | 0 | 3 | 4 | 6 | 16 | −10 | 3 |
| 8 | UCT | 7 | 0 | 2 | 5 | 6 | 22 | −16 | 2 |
Rules for classification: 3 points for a win, 1 point for a draw. The top 4 teams qualified for the Semi-Finals.
Format
editThe tournament begins with a round robin stage, in which all teams play each other once. After the round robin stage, the top 4 teams will advance to the knock-out stage. The teams ranked 1 and 2 will host the semi-finals, against the teams ranked 4 and 3 respectively. The winners will advance to the final, to be hosted by the highest ranking finalist. All matches are played on Mondays. The league scoring system follows a standard scoring system and awards 3 points are awarded for a win, and 1 point for a draw. Teams are separated first on points, and then on goal difference.
Round robin stage
editThe 2014 season began with the round robin stages on 21 July, which will end on 1 September.
- All times are South African (GMT+2)
Week 1
edit| 21 July 2014 | NMMU | 2 - 2 | NWU Mafikeng | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape |
| 16:30 | Kieran Koert 2 | Report | Sandile Mbatha, Sifiso Ngwenya | Stadium: NMMU Stadium |
| 21 July 2014 | UWC | 2 - 2 | UJ | Bellville, Western Cape |
| 18:00 | Tapelo Sixishe, Wade Crowie | Report | Stephanis Sibanyoni, Wisdom Mathebula | Stadium: University of the Western Cape Stadium |
| 21 July 2014 | UCT | 1 - 1 | UL | Cape Town, Western Cape |
| 18:00 | Michael Salgado | Report | Tsietsi Tshehla | Stadium: Green Mile |
Week 2
edit| 28 July 2014 | UFS | 2 - 0 | UL | Bloemfontein, Free State |
| 16:45 | Lehlohonolo Mokoena, Jay Jay Groenewald | Report | Stadium: Shimla Park |
| 28 July 2014 | UP-Tuks | 2 - 1 | UCT | Pretoria, Gauteng |
| 18:00 | Lucky Mathosi, Mbongeni Masilela | Report | Michael Salgado | Stadium: Tuks Stadium |
| 28 July 2014 | UJ | 3 - 0 | NMMU | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
| 18:00 | Tebogo Mandyu, Ponshu Nyathi 2 | Report | Stadium: AW Muller Stadium |
| 28 July 2014 | NWU Mafikeng | 1 - 0 | UWC | Mahikeng, North West |
| 19:00 | Mogomotsi Molefe | Report | Stadium: Mafikeng Sports Fields |
Week 3
edit| 4 August 2014 | UWC | 1 - 2 | UFS | Bellville, Western Cape |
| 16:45 | Curtley Beukes | Report | Dumisani Tjomelane, Manxubandile Bantshi | Stadium: University of the Western Cape Stadium |
| 4 August 2014 | NMMU | 2 - 1 | UCT | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape |
| 18:00 | Sachin Jackson, Kieran Koert | Report | Moussi Sopp | Stadium: NMMU Stadium |
| 4 August 2014 | NWU-Mafikeng | 3 - 2 | UL | Mahikeng, North West |
| 18:00 | Orebotse Mongae, Lebogang Phetlhu, Tshenolo Machwisa | Report | Clyde Kgatla, Mahlatse Mogale | Stadium: Mafikeng Sports Fields |
| 4 August 2014 | UP-Tuks | 0 - 4 | UJ | Pretoria, Gauteng |
| 19:00 | Matthew Edwards, Sandro Claro, Tebogo Mandyu, Ruben De Freitas | Report | Stadium: Tuks Stadium |
Week 4
edit| 11 August 2014 | UP-Tuks | 5 - 1 | UL | Pretoria, Gauteng |
| 16:45 | Botshelo Mfulwane 2, Sibongile Njokwe, Lindsay Stowman, Jeremiah Nkwana | Report | Clyde Kgatla | Stadium: Tuks Stadium |
| 11 August 2014 | UFS | 2 - 2 | UJ | Bloemfontein, Free State |
| 18:00 | Lehlohonolo Mokoena, Manxubandile Bantshi | Report | Sandro Claro, Lwazi Nogenga | Stadium: Shimla Park |
| 11 August 2014 | NMMU | 1 - 2 | UWC | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape |
| 18:00 | Lukhanyo Rasmeni | Report | Tapelo Sixishe, Reza Dramat | Stadium: NMMU Stadium |
| 11 August 2014 | NWU-Mafikeng | 6 - 0 | UCT | Mahikeng, North West |
| 19:00 | Thatohatsi Santos, Tshenolo Machwisa 3, Matsobane Matsi, Kagiso Modimeong | Report | Stadium: Mafikeng Sports Fields |
Week 5
edit| 18 August 2014 | UFS | 0 - 4 | NMMU | Bloemfontein, Free State |
| 16:45 | Report | Simamkele Thobi, Lukhanyo Rasmeni, Kieran Koert, Kurt Duff | Stadium: Shimla Park |
| 18 August 2014 | Tuks | 2 - 2 | NWU-Mafikeng | Pretoria, Gauteng |
| 18:00 | Mbongeni Masilela, Jeremiah Nkwana | Report | Lindani Dudula, Orebotse Mongae | Stadium: Tuks Stadium |
| 18 August 2014 | UWC | 1 - 1 | UL | Bellville, Western Cape |
| 18:00 | Curtley Beukes | Report | Theo Phophi | Stadium: University of the Western Cape Stadium |
| 18 August 2014 | UJ | 6 - 0 | UCT | Soweto, Gauteng |
| 19:00 | Pontsho Nyathi, Karl Clements, Ruben De Freitas, Sandro Claro, Lumkile Dava, Matthew Edwards | Report | Stadium: UJ Soweto Campus Sport Complex |
Week 6
edit| 25 August 2014 | NWU-Mafikeng | 1 - 1 | UJ | Mahikeng, North West |
| 16:45 | Lindani Dudula | Report | Ruben De Freitas | Stadium: Mafikeng Sports Fields |
| 25 August 2014 | UCT | 0 - 2 | UFS | Cape Town, Western Cape |
| 18:00 | Report | Byron Donaldson (OG), Jay Jay Groenewald | Stadium: Green Mile |
| 25 August 2014 | UWC | 2 - 1 | UP_Tuks | Bellville, Western Cape |
| 18:00 | Tapelo Sixishe, Reza Dramat | Report | Jeremiah Nkwana | Stadium: University of the Western Cape Stadium |
| 25 August 2014 | NMMU | 3 - 0 | UL | Port Elizabeth, Eastern Cape |
| 19:00 | Kieran Koert, Onela Beqezi, Simamkele Thobi | Report | Stadium: NMMU Stadium |
Week 7
edit| 1 September 2014 | UCT | 3 - 3 | UWC | Cape Town, Western Cape |
| 16:45 | Charlie Mbatha, Michael Salgado, Louis-Romain Moussi Sopp | Report | Curtley Beukes, Keenan Davis, Reza Dramat | Stadium: Green Mile |
| 1 September 2014 | UJ | 1 - 1 | UL | Johannesburg, Gauteng |
| 18:00 | Taelo Mphahlele (OG) | Report | Clyde Kgatla | Stadium: AW Muller Stadium |
| 1 September 2014 | UFS | 1 - 1 | NWU Mafikeng | Bloemfontein, Free State |
| 18:00 | Manxubandile Bantshi | Report | Kagiso Modimoeng | Stadium: Shimla Park |
Knockout stage
editThe top four placed men's teams progressed to the knockout stage, as did all four women's teams. The semi-finals for both men and women were played on 8 September and the finals on 15 September.
Men's tournament
editSemi-finals
edit| 8 September 2014 | NWU Mafikeng | 0(4) - (5)0 | UP-Tuks | Mahikeng, North West |
| 16:45 | Report | Stadium: Mafikeng Sports Fields |
| 8 September 2014 | UJ | 2 - 2 | UFS | Soweto, Gauteng |
| 19:00 | Wisdom Mathebula, Kaylan More | Report | Walter Phori, Marathodi Phillies | Stadium: UJ Soweto Campus Sport Complex |
Final
edit| 15 September 2014 | UJ | 0 - 1 | UP-Tuks | Soweto, Gauteng |
| 19:00 | Report | Jeremiah Nkwana | Stadium: UJ Soweto Campus Sport Complex |
Women's tournament
editSemi-finals
edit| 8 September 2014 | TUT | 2 - 0 | UWC | Mahikeng, North West |
| 16:00 | Report | Stadium: Mafikeng Sports Fields |
| 8 September 2014 | UJ | 2 - 1 | UP-Tuks | Soweto, Gauteng |
| 16:00 | Report | Stadium: UJ Soweto Campus Sport Complex |
Final
editNotable Players and Coaches
editPlayers and coaches who have since been signed by professional clubs.
Sponsors
editThe tournament is sponsored by:
References
edit- ^ "Football to get Varsity passion". Varsity Sports SA. 19 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "More sporting codes to boost varsity sports". SABC. 12 April 2013. Archived from the original on 6 April 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "Minutes of the USSA Football Annual General Meeting (AGM) held at the University of the Western Cape, Bellville, on 06th– December – 2013" (PDF). University Sport South Africa. 6 December 2012. Archived from the original (PDF) on 15 December 2013. Retrieved 15 December 2013.
- ^ "Explosive Mondays back with Varsity Football". Varsity Sports SA. 12 July 2013. Retrieved 30 July 2013.
- ^ "Ladies' chance to shine". Varsity Sports SA. 6 September 2013. Retrieved 7 September 2013.