Three of the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) basketball, cricket and football clubs are gearing up for the final stretch of the 2024 USSA Championships from 2 to 5 December 2024. The senior men’s and women’s basketball 5×5 teams will be heading to Stellenbosch University in the Western Cape, with the gents set to defend their 2023 championship title.
The women’s team, despite finishing in 4th place in Durban in 2023, is also determined to make a stronger impact this time around.
Cricket and Football’s Final Push:
UJ’s cricket and football teams will be competing in Bloemfontein and Kimberly, respectively. The men’s cricket team will look to improve on their 2023 performance, while both the men’s and women’s football teams aim to qualify for the prestigious Varsity Football tournament in 2025.
Speaking ahead of the USSA games, UJ Senior Men’s Football Team Head Coach Mogudi said, “The USSA tournament is the most anticipated tournament of the year. This year, the tournament will be held in the very hot Kimberley and we are in a very difficult group. We are drawn with two past Varsity Football champions, and it just shows you the caliber of the group. The hosts are also drawn in this group with a dark horse in MUT. It will be a very difficult USSA for UJ, but the Orange Army thrives in difficult circumstances.”
Mogudi added, “We are preparing and already competing in a very challenging league. There are high expectations from the University at large for us to do well in this tournament. We have belief in the boys and we trust that they will do well. Our aim is always a podium finish at USSA Club Champs.”
A Year of Success:
UJ has already enjoyed significant success in various 2024 USSA season, with various teams securing medals in different sports. Both the senior men’s and women’s netball teams won silver medals in July, while the women’s rugby team won a bronze medal in this year’s USSA tournaments at Rhodes University in Makhanda, Eastern Cape. The men’s basketball 3×3 team won a gold medal while the women’s team won a silver medal at the University of Pretoria in June.
As the final stretch of the USSA Championships approaches, UJ’s teams are eager to continue their winning tradition and bring glory to the university.
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