After a year-long hiatus, the University of Johannesburg’s (UJ) Senior Men’s Football Team is back in the highly anticipated Varsity Football tournament, eyeing the coveted cup once more. Having claimed the title in 2021 and finishing as runners-up in 2022 and 2023, UJ is eager to reclaim its top spot.
UJ Senior Men’s Football Team fixtures are as follows:
| Date | Fixture | Venue | Time |
| 7 August 2025 | UJ vs NWU-Mahikeng | UJ Soweto Stadium | 17:00 |
| 14 August 2025 | UFS vs UJ | Shimla Park, UFS | 18:30 |
| 21 August 2025 | UJ vs Wits | UJ Soweto Stadium | 18:30 |
| 28 August 2025 | UJ vs UP-Tuks | UJ Soweto Stadium | 18:30 |
| 4 September 2025 | UJ vs DUT | UJ Soweto Stadium | 18:30 |
| 11 September 2025 | UJ vs TUT | UJ Soweto Stadium | 19:15 |
| 18 September 2025 | CUT vs UJ | CUT Stadium | 19:15 |
Back on the Pitch
UJ’s absence from the 2024 Varsity Football season came after failing to qualify during the December 2023 University Sport South Africa (USSA) championship. However, the team has bounced back with renewed vigour after winning the 2024 USSA tournament and fuelled by their recent 7th place finish in the Gauteng ABC Motsepe League. Their awaited return and excitement is palpable within the UJ camp.
The team is set to kick off their campaign at home against North-West University Mafikeng on Thursday, 7 August 2025, at 5:00 PM, at the UJ Soweto Stadium.
“The preparations for Varsity Football are going according to plan. The players are in good spirits and their work ethic is commendable. They are certainly looking forward to this year’s edition after a year’s absence,” says Head Coach, Karabo Mogudi.
Varsity Football: A Platform for Talent
Varsity Football stands as South Africa’s premier university football tournament, bringing together eight top teams to compete for glory. It’s a spectacle that consistently draws passionate and loyal fans, filling stadiums across the country to witness the nation’s most promising student-athletes showcase their skills.
This year’s edition sees the return of two Joburg-based teams, UJ and Wits, both eager to make their mark after missing out in 2024. Men’s matches will primarily be played on Thursdays, with live broadcasts available on SuperSport and additional coverage via live stream on the SuperSport Schools App.
Coach Mogudi says fans can expect to see an energetic young squad fused with senior, experienced players at this year’s Varsity Football tournament. “We are building an exciting young team for the future. Everyone wants to contribute to the team. There will be several returning players who will add a bit of much-needed experience into the team for a competitive tournament,” says Mogudi.
The Contenders
The 2025 Varsity Football Men’s edition will feature:
- UJ
- NWU-Mahikeng
- University of Pretoria (UP-Tuks)
- University of Free State (UFS)
- Wits
- Central University of Technology (CUT)
- Durban University of Technology (DUT)
- Tshwane University of Technology (TUT)
Notably, the 2024 champions, University of the Western Cape, failed to qualify for the 2025 season, guaranteeing a new champion will be crowned on Thursday, 2 October 2025, when the tournament concludes.
For all the fixtures and ticket sales information, visit the Varsity Football website.
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