UFH blames inexperience for losses

THE University of Fort Hare (UFH) pointed to their lack of experience as the reason for their string of losses in the current Varsity Cup season after the Alice side were embarrassed 3-0 during their fifth match of the campaign against the Central University of Technology (CUT) at the CUT Stadium in Bloemfontein.

CUT’s victory over UFH cemented the Free State side’s bid for a spot in the semi-finals, as they moved into second spot following their round six match on Thursday night.

Meanwhile, UFH is sitting bottom of the league with no points, having lost all five games.

UFH team manager, Mongi Ngubane, said the lack of experience in the team was the cause of the losses, although the team has other problems.

“We play against teams who are in the ABC Motsepe League and our players are only playing in the SAB League and local football associations.

“Our fitness is not at the same level because those other clubs are mentally and physically fit, and our team doesn’t have combination play.”

Ngubane said the team was assembled at two different campuses – in East London and Alice – which meant they had no time to train.

“Players meet when they are going to play and the boys seem to lack motivation because we don’t fight enough for the ball.

“I think our confidence needs a boost because it’s like losing is in our blood now. As management we will come up with solutions to avoid another loss,” said Ngubane.

With only 15 minutes on the clock, CUT broke the deadlock through Keitumetse Mabathoana after he scored from inside the box.

The home side kept pushing for a second goal looking to double their lead, but they seemed to waste chances.

Mabathoana then found himself in plenty of space and laid it up for Taole Rakgomo to give CUT a two-goal lead going into the half-time break.

In the last minutes of the second half Sello Mokhathi dazzled in the box and fired a low shot to put the game to bed with only eight minutes of regulation time remaining.

The Samsung best shot award went to Keitumetse Mabathoana of CUT, and the FNB man of the match to Mpho Molwatse, also from CUT.