For the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Senior Men’s Football Team, the 2025/26 Gauteng ABC Motsepe League season was a gruelling litmus test for a squad of student-athletes balancing academic rigors with the physical demands of semi-professional football. While the campaign concluded with a 9th-place finish, the narrative of their season is defined by early dominance, a mid-season metamorphosis, and an unwavering gaze toward the upcoming Varsity Football tournament.
A Tale of Two Halves:
The season opened with a clinical efficiency. Strategy and ambition aligned as the Orange Army sought to stockpile points before the USSA championships in December 2025. According to Head Coach Karabo Mogudi, the approach was intentional and multifaceted.
“The 2025/2026 season was a season of two halves,” Mogudi reflected. “We started very well with the aim of collecting many points before going into the USSAs. Our aim was to also prepare for winning the USSAs. We fell short and subsequently ended 3rd at the USSA championships.”
However, the dawn of 2026 brought a tectonic shift to the squad’s composition. The team faced the inevitable challenge of university sports: the departure of veteran talent. The “spine” of the team – comprising Richard Lona, Oageng Moshikere, Sinenhlanhla Mkhonza, Puleng Bapela, and Siphosihle Nkambule – departed for various clubs, leaving a void in tactical leadership.
“They were irreplaceable for a while as we lost many points during this period,” Mogudi admitted. “We eventually stabilized, but our position in the top 4 of the league was already compromised. The loss of five senior squad members had a huge impact; we lost consistency in application on the field. I’m sure if we had retained them, we would have finished higher.”
9th on the log, first in resilience:
While a top-four finish was the original blueprint, the 9th-place standing represents a hard-fought outcome for a “youthful team” navigating one of the country’s most competitive provinces. Mogudi remains optimistic that the lessons learned this year are the building blocks for a future powerhouse.
“Finishing in the top 4 would have been a huge achievement,” the Coach noted. “This is possible in the next few years if we can keep our best performers with a sprinkling of top-quality senior players to provide tactical leadership.”
From the league to the lights – Varsity Football looming:
The conclusion of the ABC Motsepe League does not signal rest, but rather a transition. With the Varsity Football tournament on the horizon, UJ is preparing to pivot from the rugged terrains of the regional league to the high-stakes, televised stage of national university football.
Preparation is set to intensify in June, and despite the loss of senior figures earlier in the year, Mogudi is confident in the “mileage” his current crop of players has gained.
“We have the squad to compete. With a clean bill of health, I’m sure this young team will continue to surprise many,” Mogudi asserted. “Although young, they have better experience from last year’s edition. Many are now in their second year of study at UJ; they have the mileage now.”
The Motsepe edge:
Ultimately, the ABC Motsepe League served as more than just a competition; it was a forge. The physical, tactical, and psychological hurdles of the league have prepared the student-athletes for the unique pressures of tournament football.
“The Gauteng ABC Motsepe League has many challenges that can make or break young players’ futures,” Mogudi concluded. “It is a very competitive provincial league and it sets these young players on a very good path. It helps to develop them physically, tactically, and psychologically, which augurs well for them in university tournaments.”
As the Orange Army shifts its focus to the national university stage, they carry with them the scars and the strength of a season defined by resilience. The mission is clear: to take the lessons of the league and transform them into Varsity Football glory.
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