One of the most famous Shakespearian phrases is "A horse, a horse! My kingdom for a horse!"
Tlisane Motaung (UP-Tuks head coach) might be able to relate to it as in the four Varsity Football games his team has so far only been able to score three goals. It is not sure what he will be prepared to offer his players to incentivise them, but there is no getting away from the fact that if the UP-Tuks strikers do not start finding the back of the net, the team might not qualify for the semi-finals.
UP-Tuks is playing CUT tomorrow in a home game. The safe money would be betting on UP-Tuks to win. If they do, they will remain in the run to qualify for the playoffs but as things stand goal difference might become vital.
TUT is the only team guaranteed playing the semi-finals having ten points after four games. UJ with 7 log points, CUT with 6, NWU and UFS-Kovsies both with five and UWC and UP-Tuks both four are in a battle for the other three spots.
Of all these teams, UP-Tuks has the worst goal deficit having already conceded seven goals. That is why scoring goals has become vital.
Katlego Motlhsang, who is again standing in as UP-Tuks captain, emphasised that it does not help any team to create chance after chance if they can't convert.
"At a rough estimate, I would say we create about 13 real scoring opportunities per game of which two are really on target, and still we tend to miss."
Chinedu Okolo, however, is also concerned about what has been happening on defence.
"During last year's Varsity Tournament, I think we played four, maybe five, games in which we did not concede one goal. So far, we have not been able to do so in a single match. It is not as if our defensive play is bad, it just that lapse of concentration at vital moments that is costing us."
Okolo who was one of last year's top goal scorers is very critical of the way he played against Northwest previous week.
"The easy excuse would be to say it was the first time I played, but the reality is that my timing was off. To be able to head the ball into the back of the net is not only about being tall. Timing is of the utmost essence. I was out of sync. It was as if the ball was not finding me."
Tomorrow's kickoff at Tuks is at 18:30.
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