This year, all eyes will be on the Senior Men’s Football Team of the University of Johannesburg (UJ) in the 2022 Varsity Football tournament as they defend their championship title won in Tshwane in 2021. The competition will have spectators watching all the games post the two-year COVID-19 pandemic period.
On Thursday, 21 July 2022, the Orange Army (UJ) takes on Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) at the UJ Soweto Campus Stadium, kick-off at 19:15. Tickets are now on sale (R20 per person) on the Varsity Sports website. No tickets sales at the stadium.
As they gear up for the competition, the team received well wishes from the leadership of the University on Tuesday, 19 July 2022 at a breakfast send-off meeting in Melville. The member of the University’s Management Executive Committee (MEC), Dr Nolitha Vukuza (Senior Executive Director: University Relations, Student Affairs & UJ Sport) and Ms Nomsa Mahlangu (Senior Director: UJ Sport), as well as senior managers Ms Nompilo Zondi, Ms Marianne Viljoen and Mr Francois Fouche were in attendance.
“I came here to wish you well. Something good happened last year and for the first time you guys won the tournament and of course you guys are now the defending champions. We are terribly excited and proud of your achievement and we encourage you to play with your hearts to represent the brand.
“Football is not just a sport code; it is about leadership and a constant practice of being conscious, alert, agile, and purposeful at all times. You know exactly what are you going to do and the results expected,” said Dr Vukuza.
She added, :“I’ve come here on behalf of the Management Executive Committee, the Vice- Chancellor and the entire UJ community to wish you. We are all rallied behind you – you should know when you step on the field that UJ is vying for you. We are team UJ, you are our source of pride,” said Dr Vukuza.
The UJ Sport medical and administrative as well as the men’s and women’s coaches were present at the meeting.
“This year, we have to win everything on the on offer and the reason for that is UJ won the tournament, you are the team to beat. This is all about us as an institution and I am reminding you why you play for UJ. The happiness index of the institution is on you,” said Ms Mahlangu.
The men’s team won the 2021 championship while the women’s team finished in third place.
Neo Lebopa will wear the armband as captain for the 2022 Varsity Football season. “Let us do it for the badge, for UJ, we have done it before. All the pressure is on us now, so, let us go out there and defend our position. Many people count on us not to disappoint the University community,” said Lebopa.
RELATED ARTICLES: